Dental emergencies can happen at any time—from playing a contact sport, tripping, to a seemingly simple morning where you suddenly feel extreme pain in your teeth. Although your teeth are only a small part of your body, dental issues can cause significant discomfort.
Like any other health concern, it’s a must for you to learn what to do when faced with a dental emergency. Otherwise, you may worsen what could’ve otherwise been a minor problem. Remember that with teeth, even those that start as a minor dental problem can eventually lead to a serious health issue.
Here are three must-do steps you have to remember during a dental emergency.
- Apply Cold Compress
Like bruises and swelling, there are dental emergencies where the first aid is as simple as applying a cold compress. This helps numb the area to prevent any more bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Some of the dental emergencies where a cold compress works to be effective include:
- Cracked tooth or teeth. When this happens, rinse your mouth first with warm water so you can clean the affected area. Then, apply a cold compress to your face or cheek area closest to the affected tooth to prevent any more swelling.
- Accidental biting of tongue or lip. Like in a cracked tooth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with hot water, then apply a cold compress.
- Extruded or partially dislodged tooth. On your way to your dentist, apply a cold compress to your mouth. If the pain is unbearable, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- Call Your Dentist First
If you have a trusted dentist whom you always go to, call him first. Explain what your dental emergency may be. If your emergency happens during clinic hours, you may be asked to give that dentist a visit.
Otherwise, if the emergency happens beyond your dentist’s clinic hours, a trip to the emergency room is your best bet, especially when the oral injury seems serious. Emergency nurses are equipped to address your concern. The next day, see your dentist and provide him with the report of what happened in the emergency room.
If you don’t have a contact number of a trusted dentist yet, you may want to start looking for one now, even without a dental emergency just yet. Check out this site to start your search.
- Get To Know The Different Types Of Dental Emergencies
Another reason why it’s a must for you to call your dentist is so you’re aware of the different types of dental emergencies. While you’re at home and before you see your dentist, they may give you advice on what to do about your dental emergency. That way, you may be provided the proper first care even while still at home.
For information purposes, these are the different types of dental emergencies that may happen:
- Everyone has at least been through toothache once in his life. Toothaches can be unpleasant. Not only will they cause throbbing pain in your mouth but in some cases, they may also lead to fever and headache.
- Broken teeth. In its worst case, a simple, cracked tooth can lead to a broken tooth. This is evidenced by a lump of dental pulp or reddish flesh. In the case of a broken tooth, there’s no recommended first-aid remedy for this. Go to your dentist or the emergency room right away.
- Bleeding in your mouth. If you suddenly have bleeding in your mouth, this can be a determinant of gingivitis or gum disease. This bleeding can typically manifest when you’re brushing or flossing your teeth. In a few days, the bleeding can subside on its own. Otherwise, you’ll have to see your dentist to be certain you aren’t going through an infection.
- Mouth injury. This happens when you’ve been in an accident. For instance, you may have a distorted-looking jawline or an injury to your jaw. In this case, emergency treatment is necessary. However, on your way to the dentist, be sure to keep your face as still as possible before you receive adequate medical attention.
- Soft tissue injuries. These can happen to your gums, cheeks, tongue, and lips. To control the bleeding, rinse your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt. Then, go to your dentist.
Conclusion
With these steps, you now have a guide on what you should do when a dental emergency arises. Injuries to your teeth and mouth, and any discomfort for that matter, aren’t something you should ignore. Call your dentist immediately. If you don’t know what to do about your dental problem, don’t even attempt to self-medicate. There’s no better substitute to seeing a dental professional. Most importantly, be proactive with your dental care, too. When you take good care of your teeth, you may significantly reduce the chances of dental emergencies.
