If you’ve ever experienced pain as a result of a dental emergency, you already understand how challenging this situation can be. If you’re experiencing a dental crisis, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. Your next stop should be an emergency dentist’s office or the emergency room. If you’re unsure about if you need emergency dental care, you’ll need to first assess the situation to see if your symptoms require urgent care. The following guide will discuss the signs and symptoms of emergency dental issues as well as what to do if you have a dental emergency.
If you are severely injured, call 911 for immediate help.
Do I Have a Dental Emergency?
Not all dental issues are dental emergencies. If you’re experiencing severe bleeding, pain, or a clear injury to your teeth, gums, or jaws, this is an indication that you need emergency care. If ignored, injuries can result in a serious situation that may require surgery, costly treatment, or may even result in death.
Experts agree that you should seek emergency dental care if you’ve sustained an injury to your face or mouth especially if you’ve lost teeth as a result of the injury. Similarly, if you’re in severe pain or are bleeding endlessly, you should consider this a dental emergency. In any of these situations, taking immediate action is essential.
Common Dental Emergencies
The most common dental emergencies include dislodged or knocked-out teeth, cracked teeth, abscesses or infections, and injuries. Knocked-out teeth often occur as a result of sports injuries. If your teeth fall out, it’s important that you take quick action to make sure your tooth reattaches. After carefully picking your tooth up by the top or crown, rinse it off in milk or water, safely store your tooth inside your cheek or in milk until your dentist can properly reinsert it.
Cracked teeth are another common dental emergency. Experts recommend taking over-the-counter medicine to reduce your pain. Get in contact with a dentist as soon as possible to help you restore your fractured tooth.
An infected or painful tooth is another emergency to watch out for. Oral infections need treatment immediately as they can quickly spread to the rest of your body. Visit an emergency dentist or emergency room as soon as you can to get treatment for abscesses or infections.
A broken jaw or injury to your gum is another emergency situation that requires immediate medical attention. Use ice to reduce the swelling in your face and see a dentist as soon as you can.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If you are in serious pain in the midst of a dental emergency, it can be difficult to know how to respond. The first step to take in an emergency situation is to contact your dentist or another emergency dentist in your area. If you aren’t able to connect with a dentist, the next stop is the emergency room at a nearby hospital.
It’s important to take immediate action in a dental emergency as delaying treatment can result in the loss of teeth or worse. Moreover, the sooner you get help, the less extensive and expensive the treatment will be.
Contact Lovett Dental Corpus Christi
Consider preventing dental emergencies by staying away from harsh foods, wearing protective gear when playing sports, and flossing and brushing regularly. Likewise, it’s equally as important to prevent dental emergencies by visiting your dentist on a regular basis. With regular cleanings and careful hygiene at home, you’ll be able to ensure that your teeth are properly cared for, making them less susceptible to future emergency situations.
While some emergencies are unavoidable, proper hygiene can protect your oral health. Prevent and treat dental emergencies by getting the help you need today. Contact Lovett Dental in Corpus Christi at 361-986-1117 to learn more about the dental services available to you.
