What are Dental Emergencies and How to Deal With It
Any kind of injury to the gums or teeth should never be ignored, no matter how small they may seem. Dental emergencies are usually serious problems that can lead to lasting damage when not properly handled. Just like any kind of health issue, ignoring them for an extended period can cost you costly, extensive treatments to reverse them.
So you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, what should you do between the time that you sustained them and the time that you see your dentist? You must know what to do in this critical short period. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies and how you can handle them at home.
- Toothache –Soothe your toothache by rinsing your mouth with warm water. If the pain is caused by a food morsel lodged between teeth, remove it using dental floss. You can try to lessen any swelling by applying a cold compress. Never put aspirin or other pain medication directly on your aching gum or tooth.
- Chipped Tooth –Flush out any pieces of the tooth by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Try to save any of the chipped-off pieces and bring them to the dentist. Stop any bleeding on the gums, cheeks, or lips by applying pressure on them with a piece of gauze. Apply a cold compress to the affected area to stop any swelling or pain.
- Knocked-Out Tooth–Rinse off the tooth, holding it by its crown. Never remove any tissue that is still attached to it, if there is any. Try to put back the tooth in its socket. If this is not possible, soak it in salt water or milk and bring it with you when you see the dentist.
- Stuck Object – Attempt to remove the stuck object using dental floss. Never use anything in place of dental floss that will scratch or damage the enamel. If this intervention is unsuccessful, wait until you can get to your dentist.
- Lost Crown – It is fairly common for crowns to occasionally come loose or even fall off. When this happens to you, save the crown and bring it with you when you go to the dentist. If you feel any tooth pain, try to temporarily reaffix the crown. You can use denture adhesive or even toothpaste to hold it in place in the meantime.
- Abscess or Infection – An abscess is a painful swelling on the gums. It looks like a small pimple filled with pus and is caused by a bacterial infection. To relieve pain and swelling, rinse your mouth with warm water and see your dentist immediately.
If you experience any dental emergency, it is important to act as soon as possible. Never wait until the pain becomes too unbearable before you visit your dentist to get it fixed, as doing so will only lead to bigger problems down the road. The tips outlined above should give you temporary relief from unpleasant symptoms before your scheduled visit with your dentist.
|