What’s the difference between a normal dental issue and a dental emergency? The answer is simple: dental emergencies CAN’T WAIT for an appointment (even if that appointment is in the next few days).
It’s always best to err on the side of caution.
If you think you might have a dental emergency, you should get in touch with your dentist right away. If you’re feeling uncertain, here’s a quick list of common dental emergencies to help you determine what steps you should take next.
Toothache
Toothaches aren’t always a sign you need emergency treatment. However, if you can’t manage the pain of your toothache at home and if it doesn’t subside, you should contact a local dentist. The pain is likely an indicator that something more serious is going on, and waiting will only make the problem worse.
It’s especially important to reach out to a dentist for a toothache if it’s accompanied by swelling or bleeding of any kind. This is even more true if you can’t get the bleeding to stop.
Broken Tooth
If you break one of your teeth, you’ll likely experience pain and plenty of bleeding. Rinse out your mouth, stop the bleeding with a piece of clean gauze, and do your best to find (and keep) the broken piece.
Keep in mind, a crack also qualifies as a broken tooth.
It’s important to treat broken teeth as soon as possible because, otherwise, your teeth could sustain further damage. On top of that, food and bacteria can gather in the cracks or broken areas and lead to infections or decay.
Missing Tooth
Did your child lose one of the baby teeth naturally? That’s great (and perfectly normal). Losing an adult tooth, though, it’s supposed to happen.
If one of your teeth gets knocked out, put it in milk right away. Then hop in the car with your tooth and drive to the dentist (if you aren’t sure where to find the help you need, check out this website to start). They may be able to insert it back into the gum socket, depending on the condition of the tooth.
Missing Crown, Filling, Etc.
If any of the dental procedures you’ve had done in the past fail or fall out, you need to talk to a dentist right away. A missing crown or filling could leave the inside of your tooth vulnerable, and it can also cause a lot of pain, too.
Abscess
An abscess is an infection, and it usually looks and feels like a lump on your gums near the base of a tooth. If you don’t get the proper dental treatment for this infection, it can spread to other teeth and even impact other parts of your health. Never wait to call your dentist if you think you have an abscess.
Getting the Right Treatment for Your Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are serious, and if left untreated, they can cause major health issues in other parts of your body as well. If you think you’re having a dental emergency, make sure you contact your dentist.
Want some more tips about oral health? Don’t hesitate to take a look at the rest of our blog today!
