Most Common Dental Emergencies & How to Handle Them?
An emergency is usually unexpected. As a result, most people panic in an emergency. However, you can remain calm and take appropriate steps to mitigate the issues. Read on to learn about dental emergencies and when to seek emergency dental care.
What are Dental Emergencies?
They are problems to the mouth that require immediate treatment. Dental emergencies can be due to injury or oral diseases. They cause uncontrolled bleeding, broken facial bones, or severe pain. Dental emergencies must be treated immediately by an emergency dentist. Treatment saves the tooth, prevents the spread of infection, and eases discomfort.
What are the Different Types of Dental Emergencies?
There are various types of emergencies that affect the mouth. Below are common ones usually addressed through emergency dental care:
1) Severe Toothache
Pain in your teeth may be caused by a dental pulp infection or something stuck between teeth. A severe toothache that cannot be eased by medication or worsens progressively is an emergency. See our emergency dentist in Merrifield, VA right away.
2) Badly Cracked Tooth
Teeth can crack or fracture due to facial injury, biting down on hard objects, or bruxism. A cracked tooth is a dental emergency since it causes intense pain and can lead to tooth loss. You should see the dentist so they restore the tooth and prevent further damage.
3) Loose or Knocked-out Tooth
The severe facial impact can cause teeth to loosen from their sockets or fall out. When you have a loose or knocked-out tooth, you should see a dentist immediately. The expert will prevent the loose tooth from falling out. They will also restore the knocked-out tooth to its socket.
4) Dental Abscess
These are infections that usually occur near the tooth’s roots or in the space between the teeth and gums. Dental abscesses appear like painful pimples or swollen spots that are yellow, red, clear, or whitish. They are severe and must be treated right away.
5) Severe Soft Tissue Injury
A facial injury can occur, impacting the lips, gums, and inside of the cheeks and tongue. Contact the emergency dentist if the injury is severe and causes serious swelling or bleeds persistently.
How to Handle Different Dental Emergencies?
Knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can help ease the pain and prevent further damage. Below are some tips to help you handle different dental emergencies:
1) Severe Toothache
When you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water, then brush and floss gently. Doing so removes any foods stuck between teeth that cause pain. If the ache does not ease wrap ice cubes or frozen peas in a towel. Apply the compress to the outside of your cheek for ten minutes, and then remove it for ten minutes. Repeat until the pain eases, then visit the emergency dentist.
2) Badly Cracked Tooth
If your tooth is cracked, retrieve, rinse, and preserve any fragments in a glass of water or milk. Then, rinse your mouth using warm water and spit to avoid swallowing any small tooth pieces. If you are bleeding, apply gauze to the area, and if you are in pain, apply a cold compress. Contact the emergency dentist. Carry the fragments to the office as they may be used to restore the tooth.
3) Knocked-out Tooth
First, retrieve the tooth while holding it by the crown and rinse it with clean water. Avoid scrubbing or removing the attached tissues. Try to return the tooth properly to its socket. If impossible, put it in a container or cup with milk or saline water. Ensure you visit our dentist at 22031 within 30 minutes to increase the chances of successful tooth restoration.
4) Dental Abscess
Do not pop the small pimples or brush the area near them forcefully. Instead, rinse your mouth with salty water severally and see your dentist immediately.
5) Severe Soft Tissue Injury
Rinse the mouth with a salt-water solution. Then apply gauze or a tea bag to the site to stop the bleeding. Next, use a cold compress to relieve pain. Finally, visit the dentist immediately for treatment.
Looking for an Emergency Dentist in Merrifield, VA?
The most important thing to do in a dental emergency is to get emergency dental services. Seeing a dentist right away is essential. If you are looking to get emergency dental services in Fairfax, VA, contact our emergency dentist at Drummond Dental Care immediately to get emergency dental care at 22031!