Oral issues can be a source of concern as they typically cause unbearable pain and may even ruin your perfect smile. Some of these issues may require dental emergency treatments, as ignoring them may worsen the problem.
If you are dealing with severe pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or a lost restoration, our emergency dental services page explains when to call and what the office may check first.
Here are five common situations where you may need emergency dental treatment.
1. Toothache
A toothache is a common dental emergency and requires immediate attention if severe, sudden, and persistent. The pain typically gets worse and more intense, causing great discomfort. It may be caused by a sensitive tooth, infections, or a fractured tooth. If you’re experiencing a toothache and the pain is not going away, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist. In the meantime, a cold compress may help alleviate some discomfort.
If the pain appears to come from deep decay or infection, emergency root canal treatment may be discussed before extraction is considered.
2. Chipped or broken teeth
Although your teeth are incredibly strong, they can become damaged, especially if you bite down on hard objects or grind your teeth at night. A broken tooth can both cause pain and ruin your perfect smile. If your teeth are broken or chipped, there’s no alternative but to see your dentist as quickly as possible. If the affected tooth is not salvageable, you may have to explore other options such as dental bridges and implants.
3. Loose or knocked-out tooth
Any facial impact that knocks one or two of your teeth out requires immediate dental attention. Loose or knocked-out teeth are usually the result of a traumatic injury or a hard impact. If a tooth is loose, try to keep that tooth in its socket by gently biting down on the tooth. If the tooth is knocked out, locate the missing tooth and handle it only by the crown to avoid damaging the tooth roots. After rinsing, put it into a sealed container filled with either milk or saltwater until your dentist can see you.
4. Lost filling or crown
Dental restorations, like a filling or a crown, can come off, and when this happens, you need to seek a dentist immediately. These restorations help protect a tooth and restore it to optimal appearance and function, so if the filling or crown falls out, the tooth is no longer protected. Thus, when a filling or crown gets lost, you must visit your dentist immediately to avoid further damage or complications.
5. Swollen or bleeding gums
Swollen or bleeding gums are never a good sign, as they are likely symptoms of gum disease or an infection. It could also be due to using a hard-bristle brush. A major sign that it is a case of infection is if you have an overall bad taste in your mouth or an ongoing bad breath. Visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible so they can examine the dental problem and provide a relieving solution.
Conclusion
It’s a good idea to prevent dental issues with good dental care, but knowing what to do when an emergency strikes can help nip the issue in the bud quickly before it deteriorates. The above dental emergency treatments can help restore good oral health and prevent long-term damage.
