Although the best way to prevent dental emergencies is through proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, accidents do happen. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a dental emergency so that you can seek treatment immediately.
Dental emergencies should not be ignored, and the longer you wait for treatment the more likely it is that your dental problem will become irreversible. The following are some common dental emergencies:
Toothache
A toothache is a common sign of an underlying dental problem, such as advanced gum disease or an untreated cavity. If the pain is persistent or doesn’t subside, it may be an emergency.
A severe toothache may also be a sign of a cracked or broken tooth, or of an infection in the pulp tissue. In this case, it’s best to contact the dentist right away.
While you wait for your appointment, rinse your mouth with salt water to clean the area and soothe inflammation, and take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed. Avoid hot or cold foods, which can aggravate the pain. Depending on the cause, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics or other medication to treat the infection. This typically resolves the pain.
Swelling or bleeding
Having swelling or bleeding in your mouth and/or gums is a clear sign that you should get emergency dental care. This can be caused by a tooth infection, an abscess or other conditions that require immediate treatment. Delaying this type of treatment can lead to serious health complications and a higher cost for your dental needs down the road.
Injuries to the mouth and jaw can occur as a result of playing sports, car accidents, work-related injuries and even rough play around the house or office. These injuries can cause lacerations to the gums, fractured or broken teeth, and dislodged or lost fillings and crowns.
A dental abscess is considered a dentist emergency sioux falls sd because it can lead to infection in other areas of the body. If you have a dental abscess, apply pressure on the area to draw out pus until you can get in to see your dentist.
Broken or chipped teeth
Depending on the severity of the chip, it may not be an emergency, but a trip to the dentist is a good idea. A chipped tooth can expose your nerve, which may cause severe pain.
It’s also important to rinse your mouth after the injury to clean any sharp fragments, as well as apply pressure to stop bleeding. You can find temporary broken tooth repair kits at drugstores that include dental wax to cover jagged edges and material that can be molded into the shape of your teeth to fill in gaps.
If you manage to save a piece of your broken tooth, spit it in a cup of milk or saline solution and bring it with you to the dentist. They can use it to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.
Broken or fractured fillings or crowns
Dental fillings can break if they are weakened by chewing, grinding or clenching. If the resulting crack extends all the way to the root of the tooth it is a broken tooth and should be treated as a dentist emergency sioux falls sd.
Tooth decay, large fillings and clenching can also cause a tooth to fracture. A fractured tooth can lead to infection, pain and a need for more extensive treatment.
In general, a symptom considered to be a dentist sioux falls should be dealt with immediately to minimize damage and prevent more serious problems. In many cases prompt treatment can save a tooth and avoid the need for more expensive and extensive procedures. Leaving a problem untreated can lead to more serious complications that may require an extraction.
Bad breath
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is often embarrassing and distressing. Fortunately, it is usually easy to treat and can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease (which allows food debris to collect and decay), bad eating habits, smoking, certain medications and dry mouth.
Brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash will often fix this issue. However, persistent bad breath could be a sign of more serious health problems. Your dentist may smell your breath and scrape the back of your tongue to measure the odor, and may recommend a saliva test or other medical tests. This will help identify the cause and find a solution. It is also important to visit your family dentistry professional regularly, to prevent bad breath from developing. They will also be able to catch issues early and treat them promptly.
