If you fell victim to a dental emergency, it is important that you know what to do & what to expect in the same way as a serious medical emergency. There are many different types of dental emergencies, which can include dental trauma.
What happens if you have to attend to a dental emergency while you are traveling? You may not always have easy access to a local dentist and you might be miles from your home.
You can learn how to deal with a dental emergency in these situations by learning about the different types of dental emergencies and how to respond to them properly.
1) Cracked or Chipped Tooth
If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, the first thing to do is to apply cold compress to the area. This will help reduce the pain. Don’t apply heated or frozen items. You can also chew a piece of raw parsley to help alleviate the pain.
You should avoid eating food in the area that is cracked or chipped and especially avoid hard food. Try to avoid sucking on the hurt tooth. If you are not in pain, biting on a piece of hard candy can be beneficial to the injured tooth.
2) Toothache
If you have a toothache, you should first try to identify what the cause is. This can be done by biting down gently on a piece of ice. If the toothache goes away, it is likely due to an internal issue.
This is a dental emergency, which requires professional attention. The problem could be a cavity, abscess, or impacted tooth and will require an emergency visit to the dentist immediately.
3) Knocked-Out Tooth
If you have knocked a tooth out, you should try to find it. Knock the tooth against the teeth on the other side to try to make the tooth fall out of the socket. This helps to ensure you are able to find it later.
If you are able to find the tooth, you should rinse it in water that is warm. You should then try to place it back in the socket. This is important because the tooth has a better chance of reattaching itself there.
You should also try to clean the area where the tooth was knocked out with a gauze pad soaked in water.
4) Lost Filling/Crown
You should not put it back in the socket if you knocked out a crown or filling. This can create a greater infection and can be very painful to reinsert. You should rinse it in water and then retain it until you can see a dentist.
If you cannot find the crown/filling and are still in great pain, you should see a dentist immediately.
5) Damaged Braces
These emergencies are easy to avoid, but they can also be very painful. The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to make sure that you properly care for your braces.
The first thing you can do to take care of the braces is avoid chewing on them. Braces are very sensitive. Chewing on them can cause pressure to be placed on certain areas of the braces, which can cause problems in this area.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can be very frightening. The most important thing to do when you are in a dental emergency is to see a dentist right away.
Make sure your dental health is in top shape by consulting a professional. Saint Mark Dental accepts emergency dental walk-ins to quickly cater to your medical needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.