Take good care of your teeth and gums with a good home dental hygiene routine. You also go to the dentist every six months. Are there times when you have to go to the dentist unannounced, such as in dental emergency care?
You don’t even know what a dental emergency is. How do you know if you have one and why is it important to see the dentist as soon as possible?
What are dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies are often caused by accidents resulting in blunt force trauma to the face or mouth. Lost teeth, cracked, chipped, or broken teeth, lacerations to the lips, inner cheeks and gums, toothaches, headaches, and excessive bleeding in the mouth are common examples of emergency dental.
Dental emergencies cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, can lead to other more complex dental problems, and inhibit the ability to use normal mouth functionality and lead a normal, happy life.
Why do I have to see the dentist right away?
In case of a dental emergency involving missing, broken, or chipped teeth or bleeding, cuts in parts of the mouth and face, jaw, or headache should be treated immediately by a dental professional.
In the case of damaged teeth, the teeth have the best chance of being saved the sooner they are treated. Adult permanent teeth do not grow back once they are broken, chipped, or pulled out. Once it clears, it goes away unless treated by a dentist within a short period of time after the injury. In the case of fallen teeth, if the patient recovers the tooth, and takes care of it until it reaches the dentist’s office, there is a good chance that it can be saved.
Missing teeth not only leave embarrassing gaps in your smile but may also require additional dental care to prevent other oral health issues, such as tooth shifting and progressive weakening and breaking of the teeth. jaw bone.
Any facial pain, headache, or toothache should be treated immediately, especially if severe, as these may be symptoms of underlying issues, such as jaw injury, broken bones face, sinus infection, or tooth abscess. All of these problems can get worse, causing more damage and discomfort, and reducing your sense of well-being. Sometimes dental and facial pain can be the result of a severe case of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affecting the jaw and bite.
Any type of severe bleeding and deep laceration of the gums, inner cheeks, or lips should be cleaned and treated immediately to avoid the risk of infection.
Treatment for your dental emergency
Getting prompt treatment for your dental emergency can not only save your teeth and a beautiful smile but also prevent you from contracting life-threatening infections.
Most, if not all, dentists have an emergency phone number you can call if you or a loved one has a dental emergency. If the emergency occurs while the dentist’s office is open, go there immediately and ask the dentist to examine and treat you. Dental emergency care requires surgery, the dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon or the nearest medical emergency room for treatment of the emergency. If the dental emergency occurs after hours, the dentist or dental assistant answering the phone will direct you to the nearest medical emergency room if they cannot extend the hours and treat you themselves. same.
What is considered an emergency?
The most basic definition of a dental emergency is when immediate attention is required to save a tooth. This is not limited to the tooth structure and includes gum tissue and other areas in and around the mouth. Consider some of these signs:
- Loose, misaligned, or broken teeth after impact
- Heavy bleeding in the mouth
- Trauma to the face or mouth
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Intense pain that prevents biting or speaking
- lumps, swelling, or knots in the gum tissue
- Swelling of the mouth or face
Many of these cases require immediate help to relieve pain or save the tooth completely. Dentists like to see the patient as soon as possible to perform the necessary surgeries or procedures.
What to do in an emergency
Dentists always want to be called as soon as possible when an emergency arises. If the accident or pain occurs outside normal office hours, call the office anyway. Almost all dental offices have an emergency number to call and will leave it on the recorded message after hours. If your dentist is out of town, they likely have arrangements with another dentist in the area to handle emergencies.
There is more to do than call the dentist. Here are the recommended steps for the most common dental emergency care.
Broken tooth
Losing baby teeth is not always an emergency, but if the tooth is too young to be lost or if it is a permanent tooth, minutes count. Handle the tooth gently, being careful not to touch the root. Rinse and gently clean the dent without rubbing to remove dirt and bacteria from the floor. If possible, put the tooth back in the gums and hold it there until you can get to the dentist. Otherwise, put it in milk to prevent the roots from drying out.
Loose or misplaced tooth
Apply pressure to the dent with your finger, pushing it back into place. If possible, bite down to keep it from moving, but don’t try to force anything. The dentist will do an exam to determine if you need more care.
Cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth
Teeth broken in any way can have internal and external damage. It is important to rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the broken parts. If necessary, take painkillers to avoid discomfort, but choose acetaminophen over aspirin or ibuprofen. Do not apply numbing cream or anything topical to the gums, as this may make the area more irritated. You can use a cold compress outside your mouth to help reduce swelling and pain.
Tissue damage and facial pain
Injuries inside the mouth that include tears, punctures, or cuts anywhere in the gum tissue should be seen by your dentist. Rinse with warm water and apply a gauze pad to the area to stop the bleeding. Infection is the biggest risk, and some injuries require immediate attention from an oral surgeon.
If your face is swollen and painful, use acetaminophen instead of aspirin or ibuprofen to limit the risk of excessive bleeding. It’s also a major sign of an abscess, so it’s vital to see your dentist for a prescription or root canal treatment.
Other emergencies
If you feel like you have a dental emergency and you don’t fit into one of the categories listed above, call your dentist. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth.
References:
1-Prompt treatment saves lives in rural Haiti
Source: Americares Posted22 Jun 2012 Originally published21 Jun 2012
https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/prompt-treatment-saves-lives-rural-haiti
2-Understanding Facial Pain
https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/understanding-facial-pain
