Oral health, like body health, is essential. Oral diseases, dental emergencies, and other injuries that may occur to your teeth or gums are things that you should never ignore. They have the potential to be severe and require immediate attention. If you take an oral problem lightly, you are risking permanent damage to the affected area, resulting in a more advanced treatment method that is quite expensive.
Dental injuries and emergencies can happen very quickly. One minute you may be doing this, and the next, you have a fallen tooth in your hand. It is one of the emergencies that leave you asking yourself what you should do.
If the dental emergency or damage is severe, you should seek medical attention as quickly as you can. Many dental hospitals and practitioners have an emergency number to call if you have a severe emergency past normal operating hours.
If your injury is not very serious, such as a lost filling or a cracked tooth, you can opt to wait until the dental hospital opens. However, keep in mind that the longer you wait to be attended to, the more serious the damage can become and the pricier the treatment can become.
If you live or work near the Medical Lake, WA area, choose Best Impression Dental for your emergency dentistry needs. Our skilled Medical Lake dentists are available for same-day and next-day emergency appointments for both kids and adults. Call us today to schedule your appointment!
Types of Dental Emergencies
Here are many types of dental emergencies, and in this article, we will look at the steps you need to take if one occurs to you or your loved one.
Below are some of the most common dental injuries and emergencies.
1. Cracked Tooth
If you are a cracked tooth, you should clean the affected area rinse your mouth using warm water. You can also choose to reduce the swelling of the affected area by pressing a cold compress. Book an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible and have your cracked tooth fixed as it can quickly transform into a bigger problem.
2. Toothaches
If you have a toothache, first rinse your mouth thoroughly using warm water. If the affected tooth is causing swelling on the affected area, you should use a cold compress and press it against your mouth or cheek to bring it down.
To help ease the pain, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, you may need a pain reliever that is strong enough if the pain is extreme, prescribed by your dentist. Toothaches can become very painful, so seek medical attention immediately.
3. Loss of Permanent Tooth
For injuries that may lead to the loss of one or several of your permanent teeth, you require immediate medical attention. Where possible, find the lost tooth.
If you find your knocked-out tooth, rinse it with clean water and avoid scrubbing it. Attempt placing the knocked-out tooth back in its original place. Do not hold the roots; instead, hold the crown. Place it between the cheek next to the opening if you cannot place it in its original position.
If there is a risk of you swallowing the tooth or unable to place the tooth back in its original socket, put it in a cup containing fresh milk to preserve it. After this, contact your dentist straight away.
4. Broken Tooth
The main cause of broken teeth is dental injuries or cracked teeth. If you notice the presence of a reddish flesh or a dental pulp lump sticking out or your tooth having a broken line going up, book an appointment with your dentist and have it attended to as soon as possible.
If your toot shifts a little from its original position or if it gets pushed up into the gum, but no bleeding occurs, contact your dentist immediately. They will ask you to visit them right away and have your tooth attended to.
If there are any pieces of your broken tooth, save them. Rinse your mouth and the broken pieces if there are any thoroughly using clean water. To any bleeding part in the affected areas, apply gauze for some minutes till the bleeding stops. If there is a swelling in the affected area, bring it down by pressing a cold compress against the affected area. It would be best if you did not wait to see your dentist.
5. Partially Dislodged Tooth or Extruded
If your tooth gets partially dislodged or extruded, you should get immediate medical attention from your dentist. Before visiting the dentist, you can relieve the pain by pressing a cold compress against the affected area. You can also opt to take an OTC pain reliever. Some of the pain relievers are ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the pain is severe.
6. Bleeding from the Mouth
Mouth bleeding is an indication of a chronic or acute condition. You may have gum disease or gingivitis if you notice any signs of blood on your toothbrush or dental floss. However, if you see blood in your saliva, it means you have advanced cancer or advanced gum disease.
Bleeding from your mouth is not normal. The mouth is excellent at preventing bleeding, therefore making it rare to have your gum bleeding from abrasions or cuts. If bleeding does not stop in the case of a tooth extraction, you need immediate medical attention.
Bloodstains on your toothbrush or dental floss are not normal and demand immediate medical attention. If you notice any blood on your toothbrush or dental floss, visit your dentist to have your gum treated.
If you start bleeding after any dental procedure, go back to your dentist immediately. Experiencing some mouth bleeding after a dental procedure is completely normal, but there may be a problem if it goes on for some hours without stopping. Contact your dentist immediately for appropriate treatment. Go to the Emergency Room if it is after hours.
7. Presence of a Stuck Object Between Your Teeth
First, attempt removing the object gently using dental floss. If you fail to dislodge it, seek a dentist's help, and he will remove the stuck object. The use of a sharp object such as a pin is not advisable as it can cut your gums, scratch your tooth surface, or cause severe damage to your mouth.
8. Abscess
It is an infection that occurs around the space between teeth and gums or roots. This is a very serious infection, and if you are not careful, it can cause great damage to surrounding teeth and tissues. If you do not treat the abscess, it may spread to other parts of the body.
Because it can easily cause serious oral and general health problems, if you notice swelling and pain on your gums, you should seek medical care from a qualified dentist immediately.
Before going to the dentist, rinse your mouth with mild saltwater. It helps relieve pain and attract pus to the surface of the affected area. Do this several times a day until you go to the dentist.
9. Soft Tissue Injury
Injuries to the teeth may cause soft tissue bleeding. The soft tissues are the tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums. To control bleeding, follow the steps below.
· Use mild saltwater to rinse your mouth thoroughly.
·Use a moistened gauze or a teabag to apply pressure on the affected area. Hold the gauze or tea bag in that position until your bleeding stops.
·On the affected area, place a cold compress for several minutes to control the bleeding and help relieve the pain.
·If the bleeding fails to stop, visit your dentist immediately. If your dentist is not available, go to the Emergency Room. Until you receive medical attention, continue applying pressure on the affected area using the cold compress or gauze.
10. Injured Tongue, Lips, or Gums
For a dental injury, the bleeding may seem severe, especially if it is the tongue. However, it would help if you remained calm as these injuries tend to appear worse than they are. Unless it is a deep cut, your tongue will heal naturally.
If you cut or, bruise your lips or gums, but the teeth are still intact, you can relieve the swelling by applying cold pressure using a frozen veggie bag, a bag of ice, or a cold compress. If the cut exceeds a quarter-inch in length or if it extends your lip border, visit a dentist to ensure its proper healing.
Dental Emergency Tips
Since these emergencies are common and may occur anywhere, it is crucial to know the appropriate steps to take in that situation before you get the appropriate medical attention. Below are the general steps for most types of dental emergencies.
1. Breathe in Deeply
It is an important step as it allows you to become calm and get control of the situation. Being calm is necessary as you will make sound decisions.
2. Assess the Injury or Damage Caused
It is a necessary procedure as it helps you determine the nature of the problem and helps you know the appropriate action.
3. Store your Tooth in a Safe Place
Where you can recover your tooth, please do so and carry it with you during your visit to the dentist.
4. Call Your Dentist
Once you know the nature of the problem, call your dentist and set up an appointment. If you live or work in the Medical Lake, WA area, call Best Impression Dental today! We are here to give you the fast, comfortable pain relief you deserve!