A dental emergency is any mouth injury or acute oral pain you can’t treat properly. These issues typically arrive unexpectedly and require immediate attention.
If you’ve found yourself dealing with a dental emergency such as a chipped tooth, severe toothache, or a lost crown, it can be easy to panic. However, as long as you prioritize expert-level emergency dental care, you will have a high chance of a positive outcome. You can raise that chance even more by taking proper self-care measures.
At Oasis Dental Team in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, our team is passionate about the difference an immediate dental visit and self-care measures en route to that visit can make in dental emergencies. So, in this blog, we review some practical steps to take during a dental emergency.
It may seem obvious, but the first step in treating your dental issue is to understand if the problem is, in fact, an emergency. Some common dental emergencies include:
Generally speaking, any oral injury or acute mouth pain you can’t treat or relieve on your own is considered urgent.
When you realize you have a dental emergency, call us at Oasis Dental Team, and we will schedule your emergency appointment.
Before you reach our office, you must take any necessary steps to keep the problem under control. Taking these precautions minimizes the risk of severe complications and improves the chance of a good outcome. Let’s review care strategies for different emergencies:
If one of your permanent teeth has gotten knocked out, you must take immediate measures to protect the lost tooth. Those steps will mean the difference between keeping your original tooth and ending up with a replacement.
Begin by rinsing the tooth in warm water. Then, very gently place the tooth back in the socket. Try your best to avoid pushing it down in the socket, as this can damage delicate tissues.
If putting your tooth back in the socket isn’t possible, try holding it in your mouth, between your cheek and gums. Other options include wrapping it in sterile gauze and immersing it in milk or water.
If your tooth is chipped or cracked, start by rinsing your mouth with warm water. If a piece of your tooth has broken off and you still have the missing fragment, gently rinse it and store it in water or milk. By keeping it moist, it might be able to be reattached.
Avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth to protect your cracked or chipped tooth from further trauma. Take ibuprofen and place an ice pack or cold compress over the area to reduce pain and swelling.
A severe toothache can signal deep, untreated tooth decay or an abscess, a serious infection at the tooth root or between a tooth and the surrounding gum tissue.
If you have a persistent toothache, begin immediate care by swishing warm water in your mouth to soothe the area and rinse away unseen food particles. Gently flossing around the sore tooth can help relieve it, but avoid using extra force or a sharp object to remove food particles.
Even though dental crowns and fillings are designed to be durable, they’re not indestructible and can still come loose. Getting it fixed as soon as possible reduces your risk of tooth decay, infection, and pain.
After cleaning your tooth, apply an over-the-counter temporary filling to keep food and germs out of the exposed area until you arrive for proper treatment.
One of the best ways to avoid a dental emergency is to see us for regular dental care. Consistent dental visits can prevent excessive tooth decay, painful infections, and other common emergent problems.
If you have a dental emergency, call us as soon as possible or use our easy online tool to book a same-day appointment.
