You’re not eager to deal with a dental emergency, but that can’t prevent one from happening. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. As you read on, your emergency dentist in Danville gives tips for how to respond to some of the more common types of dental trauma so you can recover faster and return to your normal way of life.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that causes a sudden and negative change in your oral health. It will usually involve either extreme pain, a break, a dislodged tooth or restoration or excessive bleeding.
No matter what type of dental emergency you encounter, you should be sure to take the following steps:
- Take a deep breath to quiet your nerves.
- Evaluate the situation to determine what the problem is.
- Reach out to the staff at your emergency dentist’s office to schedule a visit.
Excessive Bleeding
Two of the common causes for excessive oral bleeding are a failed blood clot after a tooth extraction or a cut to the mouth. If the bleeding won’t stop after you’ve applied pressure, then you should reach out to your emergency dentist.
A Gum or Tooth Abscess
An abscess is a painful way the body identifies an infection and then attempts to isolate it before it spreads. It can cause severe swelling and in more acute cases, difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If you notice any of these symptoms, then it’s imperative to contact your emergency dentist. Meanwhile, you should abstain from attempting to burst any pimply growths you may see, as that could exacerbate the situation.
Toothache
A toothache is usually caused by neglect of oral care. As a result, the nerve housed in the inner area of the tooth is overrun with bacteria, which can cause severe pain sensations.
While waiting to be seen by your emergency dentist, you can take ibuprofen to manage the pain and apply ice to the outside of your jaw to reduce any swelling.
A Broken or Lost Restoration
If a dental crown or filling is broken or lost, the more sensitive parts of the tooth can be left exposed to food particles, bacteria and extreme temperature changes. If you can retrieve the fixture, then you can apply a dollop of toothpaste and attempt to temporarily place it in its rightful position until you can be seen by your emergency dentist.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
The first step for responding to a knocked-out tooth should be to grab it and gently replace it. If that isn’t possible, then you can soak the tooth in a cup of milk to keep the root alive until you can be seen by your emergency dentist.
Dental emergencies are major inconveniences, but with professional help from your emergency dentist, they’re only temporary, and you can soon be fully restored.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas White earned his dental degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. He has since upheld the highest standards for providing care for his patients. Dr. White provides emergency dental care at Danville Dental Associates, and he can be reached for more information through his website.