Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are more common than you might think. According to the American Dental Association, over 5 million people visit the emergency room yearly for dental problems. The most common dental emergencies are toothaches, cracked teeth, knocked-out teeth, and gum infections.

A dental emergency can be a very frightening and painful experience. Knowing what to do to minimize the damage and preserve your oral health is important. This blog post will provide an overview of the most common types of dental emergencies and offer tips on how to deal with them.

Toothache

If you are experiencing a toothache, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible so that they can determine the cause of the pain and provide treatment. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol to help relieve the pain. There are also home remedies to manage toothaches. These include using salt water rinse, cold compress, clove oil, garlic and guava leaves.

Chipped or broken a tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. If you are bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes, seek medical attention immediately.

Knocked out tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It is crucial that you see a dentist as soon as possible.

It is important to find the tooth and rinse it off with warm water (do not scrub it or remove any tissue that may be attached). Place the tooth in a cup of milk or saline solution until you go to your emergency dental appointment.

Lost Filling or Crown

Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. When a filling or crown comes loose in your mouth, it can be very painful. Sometimes the affected tooth is sensitive to temperature changes and pressure as well. Rubbing a little clove oil to the sensitive area will give you some relief from the pain. You can find it in drugstores nearby. To protect and seal your tooth, you can apply a small amount of dental cement directly onto the surface. This will help keep it until you see your dentist!

Abscess

Oral infections, especially near the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums, are serious. If left untreated, they can spread to surrounding teeth and gum tissue, and even the rest of the body. Not sure if you have an abscess? Check your gums for a painful, pimple-like swollen spot. Call your dentist right away for emergency treatment to avoid worse oral health problems. Rinse your mouth with a mild water solution and apply ice to the swollen area for temporary relief.

Broken Orthodontics

Braces are tough. These metal wires and brackets are designed to withstand daily wear-and-tear with chewing, eating and even talking. But even then, they can break or stick out and poke your cheeks and gums. Not only does this cause discomfort, but it can slow down or even reverse progress in aligning and straightening teeth. When this happens, you can try pushing the broken wire into a more comfortable position. If this isn’t possible, cover the exposed end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball or a piece of gauze. No matter how bothersome, don’t cut the wire to avoid swallowing it.

We Accept Dental Emergencies

Reza Dental Care is accepting patients with dental emergencies. No appointment is necessary. To see an emergency dentist or other dental specialists, please call our office at 323-457-8787