Understanding Dental Emergencies and How to Manage Them

Visiting the dentist is something that most of us don’t particularly enjoy, but given that the most common visits include cleanings and fillings, dentist appointments aren’t usually traumatizing. However, if you’re dealing with an emergency situation, like trying to figure out what to do when your tooth gets knocked out, then your dental visit is bound to be a little more stressful. In this post, we’ll discuss common emergency dental problems and what to do when an emergency pops up.

What to Do in the Event of an Emergency

If you find yourself in a dental emergency, you may start to panic. However, staying calm will help you focus on what to do next. Depending on the severity of the dental problem, the issue can sometimes wait until regular business hours. In some cases, dental issues might lead to needing emergency dental services. Be sure to asses the situation during an emergency and call an emergency dental clinic if you have severe pain, nerve damage, or excessive bleeding. Keep reading to find out some common dental emergencies and what to do when these problems happen to you.

Five Most Common Dental Emergencies

Although dental emergencies can happen from many different angles, there are some common ones to keep in mind. Whenever you’re faced with a dental emergency, it’s important to stay calm and make sure you’re prepared for the situation. Take a look below to find the five most common dental emergencies and what to do when you’re faced with them:

1. Knocked Out Tooth

One of the most common dental emergencies involves a tooth knocked out. Whether it’s caused by sports, a fall, or a car accident, it’s important to seek an emergency dentist if the problem is severe. If your tooth is completely knocked out, it’s vital that you save the tooth and seek an emergency dental clinic immediately. Also, be sure to place the tooth back into the socket if possible, but be very careful not to swallow the tooth. If that isn’t an option, be sure to place the tooth in a container of milk or saliva until the dentist can attach it back into the socket.

2. Cracked/Chipped Teeth

Although cracked or chipped teeth are usually more of a cosmetic issue, they can sometimes become very problematic and cause a great deal of pain. Even if you’re not experiencing pain with a chipped or cracked tooth, the crack can grow larger and result in more issues with your oral health. If the cracked tooth is causing you pain or discomfort, it’s best to call an emergency dentist. In the meantime, taking over-the-counter pain medicine and use ice packs to reduce pain and swelling is recommended.

3. Loose Crown, Filling, or Veneer

If you notice a loose crown, filling, or veneer, it can cause significant issues if left untreated. Bacteria can make its way under a crown, filling, or veneer, which can lead to the need for a root canal, tooth extraction, and other dental problems. If one of these becomes loose, try not to disturb the area by touching it or biting down on it. Especially if you’re in a lot of pain, a loose crown, filling, or veneer is a dental emergency that shouldn’t be ignored.

4. Toothache or Infection

Chances are, you’ve experienced a toothache at some point in your life. Whether you’ve bitten into something too hard or too cold or you’ve injured your mouth or jaw, toothaches are a pain and can be caused by many different things. If you’re experiencing a sudden toothache and can’t pinpoint where it came from, it could be a tooth infection. These are very serious and can lead to an abscessed tooth which is a pocket of pus that forms from the infected tooth.

5. Jaw Pain or Broken Jaw

Sometimes you might have oral issues in your jaw instead of your teeth or gums. If left untreated, you could be faced with more severe dental problems. If you’ve been in an accident and you have injured your jaw, depending on your pain, it’s highly recommended to seek emergency dental services or an after-hours dentist.

Don’t Panic!

The number one rule when dealing with a dental emergency is to not panic. Staying calm will help you focus on what to do next and will better prepare you for treatment. Also, knowing what to do when your tooth gets knocked out or when your veneers are loose will get you that much closer to reducing pain and discomfort.

Always Be Prepared

Although you never want to think about having to deal with a dental emergency, they are a part of life. By learning what the common dental emergencies are and what to do when they happen, you can better prepare yourself. With a confident outlook on finding the right treatment, you’ll feel less stressed and ready for any situation.