What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Suffering from a dental emergency? It can be scary if something affects your teeth or mouth. Any dental emergency, including an injury to the teeth or gums, can become serious and you should never ignore it. If you ignore a dental problem, you can heighten the risk of permanent damage. You can also increase the need for more extensive treatment later on.

Know what to do in a dental emergency

If a person knows what to do when having a dental emergency, it can reduce anxiety and lead to better decision-making. Here are a few guidelines when a person faces any of the following dental problems.

Toothache

If a person is experiencing a severe toothache, there are some things to try. First, the person can rinse out the mouth with warm saltwater and take some over-the-counter pain relievers. If this provides no relief, then the person can try rubbing the tooth and gum area with an antiseptic. A cold compress on the cheek can also reduce pain and swelling. If the toothache persists, the patient should make an appointment with a dentist.

Tooth trauma

A tooth trauma occurs when a person has a knocked out or chipped tooth. If the person knocked out a baby tooth, then someone should apply pressure to the child’s mouth where it is bleeding and contact a dentist as soon as possible.

If the knocked-out tooth is a permanent tooth, the person should try and find it and then rinse it in cold water. Do not scrub or wipe away tissue pieces. If possible, the person should put the tooth back into the socket and hold it there. If it is not possible, it should be put in milk, water or saliva. The person should head for the dentist or the emergency room immediately so a professional can attempt to save the tooth.

For broken or chipped teeth, the person should rinse the mouth with warm water and apply an icepack to the area to address swelling. Then the person should make an appointment with the dentist.

Bitten lip or tongue

If a person bites their tongue or lips, then the area should be rinsed gently, and a cold compress should be applied to minimize swelling. If the tongue or lip is bleeding and the bleeding will not stop, the person should go to the emergency room.

Preventing dental emergencies

If someone wants to reduce the chance for a dental emergency to take place, there are some things that can be done. People should wear mouth guards for sporting activities. Additionally, everyone should always wear seatbelts. People can also childproof their homes to prevent falling and other accidents.

When in doubt, see a dentist

If you have a dental emergency and do not know what to do, the right course of action is to see a dentist as soon as you can. In some cases, the dentist may be able to help save your knocked-out tooth. In other cases, the dentist can repair chips and fractures. Remember that ignoring the problem can make it worse in the long run.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistrywalnutcreek.com or call Advanced Dentistry Of Walnut Creek at (925) 937-2273 for an appointment in our Walnut Creek office.

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