Common Dental Emergencies and First Aid
The discovery of dental emergencies in your mouth can be unsettling; since it’s difficult to diagnose the problem on your own. Distinguishing between a dental emergency that requires professional help and something you can treat yourself is challenging for a non-expert.
Although some self-help measures or home remedies may ease the discomfort in certain situations, it’s extremely important to see a dentist or medical professional as soon as possible to prevent further injury and get your mouth back to health. In this article, we have described some common dental emergencies so that you can take the right measures.
Toothache
Most dental emergencies involve some degree of discomfort or pain. The amount of pain you feel can be a good indicator of the most appropriate course of action. For example, if you feel pain when biting down on food, this may be a sign of a chipped tooth or even an infection in the gums.
You can try taking some Tylenol to relieve the swelling if the pain is minimal. It might also be helpful to put an ice pack on the painful area. For a checkup, be sure to see your dentist within a week. Try not to chew or bite on a suspected broken tooth until your dentist has examined it. If the pain is severe, don’t hesitate to call a dentist or go to the emergency room immediately.
Broken or Knocked-Out Tooth
Despite their strength, teeth are susceptible to damage from various causes such as decay and pressure. Even though a cracked or broken tooth is not painful, it can cause discomfort when felt with the tongue, and if a larger portion of the tooth is broken, it can cause nerve pain.
Attempting to repair a broken tooth at home is not advisable, and immediate treatment by a dentist is required. A dentist can diagnose the cause of the fracture and offer solutions for repair. Below are some common methods for repairing a broken or damaged tooth:
Dental Cap or Crown
If a tooth is badly decayed or damaged, the dentist may remove part of the remaining tooth and put on a crown that looks like a tooth. This protects the tooth and improves its appearance. Many materials are available for crowns.
Although all-metal crowns are the strongest, porcelain and resin crowns can be made to closely resemble natural teeth.
Root Canal Treatment
In a chipped or broken tooth where the pulp (the inner part of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves) is exposed, bacteria can enter the mouth and cause infection. Signs of pulp damage or infection include tooth discoloration, heat sensitivity, and pain.
If the dead pulp is not removed, the tooth can become infected and must be extracted. In a procedure called root canal therapy, the dead pulp is extracted, cleaned, and the root canal is closed. A dental expert can do this for you, and the pain you will experience will not be severe. After the procedure, a crown may be needed to protect the weakened tooth.
Dental Bridge
If a tooth has broken off at the gum line and the damage is severe, a dental bridge may be a better solution than trying to save the natural tooth. With a dental bridge, the root of the damaged tooth is removed and the gum can heal before an artificial tooth is placed to fill the gap.
Dental Veneers
If one of your front teeth is damaged or chipped, its appearance and health can be restored with a dental veneer. Dental veneers are thin coatings of tooth-colored material, usually porcelain or composite, that are placed on the front of the affected tooth. They function much like fake fingernails, with a thicker portion filling in the broken portion of the tooth. With proper care, veneers can last up to three decades, so they do not need to be replaced frequently.
Abscesses/Infections
You can develop various types of infections and abscesses if you do not pay enough attention to your dental hygiene. Gum disease is one of the most common dental emergencies and is usually the reason for such infections.
Many symptoms like fever, persistent toothache, and increased sensitivity to cold and heat can indicate an oral infection, as can swollen face and lumps on the gums near the affected area.
If you do not take care of the infection soon, it will most likely spread to other parts of your body. Therefore, it is crucial to watch out for unusual symptoms in the mouth and seek urgent medical attention if needed.
Bleeding or Swelling
Seeing blood in your mouth, especially from the gums, could indicate a serious dental problem such as gum disease. If the bleeding is persistent or severe, you should see a dentist urgently. This is a situation that you shouldn’t tolerate for an extended period.
Swelling in the mouth can be a sign of a serious dental infection and shouldn’t be ignored either, as it’s unlikely to go away on its own, so you should act immediately. To help manage the situation before your appointment, it’s important to stand upright and not lie flat. It’s also recommended to drink plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
Maintain Good Oral Health
These common dental emergencies can occur despite good dental hygiene. If you’re looking for a reliable and knowledgeable dental team to care for you and your family’s oral health, look no further than Dentists on Washington.
Contact Us With Any Dental Emergencies
Our team of knowledgeable and compassionate dental experts is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy and attractive smile. So don’t hesitate any longer to take control of your dental health. Book an appointment with us today and discover the positive impact that quality dental care can have on your life.
