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Dental Emergencies: Are you in need of urgent care?
Any dental issue that you experience that has an effect on the health of your teeth can be considered a dental emergency. Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
Do you have a broken or knocked-out tooth?
If you break a tooth then you should have it fixed as soon as possible. Your dentist may use a filling to fill the damaged area restoring the strength and appearance, whereas more serious breaks may need a crown or root canal.
For teeth that have been knocked out, a dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place within approximately an hour of the incident. The tooth has a better chance of taking root again within this time frame. After the two-hour mark, the chances decrease significantly, and alternative measures will have to be considered.
Are you experiencing a severe toothache?
If you experience a toothache you cannot manage with over-the-counter pain medication, first, apply ice to the area and contact your dentist as soon as possible, as this is considered a dental emergency.
Toothaches can indicate potential major dental issues, so it is important to take them seriously.
Have you lost one of your dental fillings?
A filling is used to fill a space or crack in your tooth in order to keep the inner pump safe from bacteria and infections. If you lose a filling then it is imperative that you call your dentist to see about a replacement quickly. You can protect the area until you get to the dentist by replacing the filling temporarily with a softened piece of sugarless gum.
Do you have something stuck in your teeth?
If you get an object stuck in your teeth and have been unable to remove it with the use of floss then you should schedule a visit with your dentist. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, do not use a sharp object to attempt to remove it yourself as this could push it further between your teeth - or injure your gums.
Did you bite your lip or tongue and now it won't stop bleeding?
While most of the time when you bot your lip or tongue you may experience pain but that is all and it passes relatively quickly. However, sometimes you may bite hard enough to cause a serious amount of bleeding and it may be unable to clot on its own. If this happens you should contact your dentist for an examination. In the meantime, apply a clean cloth to the part of the mouth that’s bleeding and press down. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, and look for urgent dental care.
Are you suffering from a dental abscess caused by an infection?
A dental abscess is a buildup of pus which forms inside the teeth or gums. This very painful condition usually develops from a bacterial infection, often within the soft pulp of the tooth or the root of the tooth. They can be caused by a cavity that’s been left untreated, severe gum disease or perhaps a chipped tooth.
Some of the symptoms that accompany a dental abscess or infection can include pain, swelling, pus and fever. If you have an abscessed tooth then your dentist will likely suggest drainage surgery or a root canal for treatment.