Addressing Dental Emergencies
If you ever get an oral problem, the first person you should call is your dentist. He/she will advise you on the precautionary measures you should take.
Sometimes one may encounter a dental issue on the weekend, at night, or during a holiday, and because such times are outside regular working hours, you’ll have to see an emergency dentist. Do note that not every dental problem is considered an emergency. Below are some signs that will guide you to know if you need to see a dental practitioner immediately.
- Is your pain severe? If you are experiencing severe bleeding or pain, your case is an emergency, and you should seek treatment as soon as possible.
- A bleeding mouth is also a sign.
- Loose teeth. An adult should not lose his/her teeth. A loose tooth should be considered as a serious issue.
- Formation of an abscess. An abscess is a sign signifying the possibility of a severe infection.
In short, any oral problem that requires immediate attention to halt bleeding, alleviate pain, or save teeth is considered an emergency. This consideration is also extended to life-threatening infections. If you live in Texas, and you have one or more of the above symptoms, visit EZ dental clinic and have an emergency dentist in South Houston, TX, look at your problem.
The Most Common Types of Dental Emergencies
The following are examples of dental problems that the American Dental Association has marked as emergencies.
- Severe pain
- Oral infection
- Dental trauma
- Tooth fracture
- Extensive caries
- Denture adjustments
- Defective restorations
- Adjustments of orthodontic appliances that are causing patients pain
How to Address and Prevent Dental Emergencies at Home
- In the case where your tooth has cracked, rinse your mouth with water and use ice packs if you have a swollen face. They will help keep the swelling down.
- For toothaches, gently floss your teeth to remove the food particles that get stuck between teeth then rinse with water.
- Avoid removing stuck objects in your mouth using pointed or sharp instruments.
- Do not chew on ice or any hard object that can cause your tooth to crack.
- Whenever you are participating in recreational activities or sports, use a mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergency
What are the steps one should take if he/she gets a tooth knocked out?
Pick the lost tooth up and rinse off all the debris on it. If possible, try not to touch the tooth’s root. If you find it possible to reinsert your tooth, please do so and then close your jaw to keep it in place. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a glass containing milk to keep it moist and visit an endodontist as soon as you can. Soaking the tooth in tap water for long is discouraged because the chemicals in the water will damage it.
Is an abscess a dental emergency?
The formation of dental abscesses is as a result of bacterial infection. Some of its symptoms are pain, redness, and swelling at the tooth’s root. At times, teeth sensitivity and pus may also develop.
You should know that an abscess can be life-threatening and therefore categorized as a dental emergency. This is because the infection can spread from your tooth to other body parts, thus affecting your general health.
How am I to know if my case is an emergency?
If you get to experience unusual severe pain, bleeding or swelling, or notice pus coming out of your teeth and gums, then most likely, you need emergency dental care. Lucky for you, there are several dental clinics offering emergency dentistry services in South Houston, TX.
What to do if you break your tooth?
In such an event, collect all the broken parts of your tooth and place them in a moist, clean cloth. Carry them with you as you head to the dentist. For a broken tooth to be saved, one has to book an appointment with the dentist so that he/she can get it repaired. The earlier your date of visit, the better.
How to relieve a toothache?
If a severe toothache causes you to wake up in the middle of the night, try brushing or flossing your teeth. You can also take pain killers but avoid putting them where the paining tooth is. Clove oil and garlic can be placed on the aching tooth, but they only provide temporary relief. Call your dentist if the pain does not subside.