Has your day ever been ruined by an unexpected and sudden dental emergencies? Whether it’s a gum injury or a cracked tooth, these problems can sometimes be painful and require immediate medical attention. While not every dental issue is considered a dental emergency, it’s still important to schedule an appointment with us if you’re having any kind of dental trouble. Visiting Arvada Dental Center will help you determine whether you need immediate dental care.
So, if you’re in the middle of dental chaos, we’ve got you covered. With the right and quick solutions, you can handle your dental emergency as a pro! Read on to find more.
What Is A Dental Emergency?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a dental emergency is defined as an infection or injury to your teeth that requires immediate attention from a dental professional to stop severe pain and uncontrolled bleeding.
Have you ever wondered what causes dental emergencies? Here’s why:
A bulk of dental emergencies is the result of oral conditions, such as TMJ disorders, gum disease, and tooth decay. However, a dental emergency may also be caused by some daily-life situations, for example:
- Inappropriate use of teeth (such as ice chewing, bottle opening, tape cutting, pencil/pen chewing, and nail-biting)
- Chewing on tough food
- Accidental falls while doing everyday things
- Jaw joint pain or locking
- Car accidents
- Participating in high-intensity interpersonal sports
If dental problems are left unchecked for a long time, they may damage your teeth or need extensive and costly procedures.
What are Some Common Types of Dental Emergencies?
Below mentioned are some common types of dental emergencies:
Severe Toothache:
Persistent, severe tooth pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain medicines may be a sign of an infection or damage to the tooth that needs medical attention.
Broken Or Fractured Tooth:
Teeth that have been fractured, chipped, or cracked may be very painful, and they may even get infected if the pulp within is exposed. Damage control requires prompt medical attention.
Dental Abscess:
An abscess is a serious infection in the mouth that can develop on the gums or around a tooth. If left unchecked, abscess may spread to the gum tissue and neighboring teeth. Don’t know whether you have an abscess or not? Look for a sore, pimple-like area of swelling in your gums.
Knocked-Out Tooth:
When a tooth is knocked out completely, prompt treatment is essential. Try to gently reinsert the tooth in its socket if possible. If not, preserve it in milk or a tooth-preservation solution and get dental treatment right away.
Damaged Or Lost Dental Restorations:
Dental restorations that have fallen out or become loose may expose delicate tooth tissues and need immediate treatment. Examples of these restorations include fillings, crowns, bridges, and other dental work.
Orthodontic Emergencies:
Braces and wire breaks are examples of orthodontic problems that may be uncomfortable and need to be fixed right away.
Why is it Important to Seek Immediate Dental Care?
Dental emergencies can sometimes be so severe and painful that they can affect your ability to eat, sleep, and perform routine activities. Seeking immediate dental care is crucial because it not only addresses underlying oral health concerns and provides immediate dental relief but also minimizes the risk of further complications.
What’s more?
Seeking immediate dental emergency care holds great benefits. The first and foremost benefit is that you’ll have quick access to the care you need. This is essential if you are experiencing discomfort or bleeding from your tooth. Additionally, you will see a dentist who focuses on providing urgent dental treatment. This ensures that you will get the highest quality treatment from professionals who have extensive expertise in the field. You may be certain that your dental emergency will be evaluated and treated if you go to a dentist as soon as possible.
How Can You Handle Some Common Dental Emergencies?
Here’s how you can handle some common dental emergencies:
Toothache:
You can try the following tips to deal with the discomfort associated with toothache:
- Use lukewarm water to thoroughly rinse your mouth.
- Use dental floss to get rid of any food that may have been trapped between your teeth.
- Applying a cold compress to the cheek will help reduce any visible swelling.
- Try an over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen.
- You shouldn’t place a pain reliever on your gums near the hurting tooth since it might cause irritation or even burning.
- If you still experience persistent pain, you can visit Arvada Dental Center where we offer expert dental care services.
Broken Or Fractured Tooth
- As a first step, preserve the broken tooth.
- Use lukewarm water for rinsing both the oral cavity and the fractured tooth.
- Check for sharp spots, discomfort, and temperature sensitivity.
- Use a tiny piece of gauze and cold water to compress the wound until the bleeding stops.
- Make an appointment with a dental professional for a routine check-up and examination.
Dental Abscess:
- The first step is to call your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of a dental abscess. Explain your symptoms and seek their guidance. Dental abscesses can worsen rapidly, so it’s essential to get professional help as soon as possible.
- Rinsing your mouth out with a gentle salt water solution a few times a day will help alleviate discomfort and bring pus to the surface.
Knocked-Out Tooth:
- Hold the tooth by the crown and use water to clean the root if it is unclean after being knocked out.
- Avoid scrubbing or removing any bits of the attached tissue.
- Replace the tooth by carefully placing it in its socket again. If this is not possible, take it to the dentist immediately after placing it in a small container of milk or a cup of water with a teaspoon of salt.
Damaged Or Lost Dental Restorations:
- If your crown comes off, put it in a safe place until you can visit a dentist.
- Clove oil may be applied to the gums and teeth to relieve pain and discomfort.
- The crown may be repositioned over the tooth, however, it is more crucial that you visit a dentist as soon as possible.
- Use denture glue, toothpaste, or dental cement to keep the crown in place if you’re doing it yourself. Apply them on the inside of the crown for protection.
Broken Braces:
- If a broken brace wire is causing significant pain in your mouth, you may reposition it using the eraser end of a pencil.
- If the wire cannot be repositioned, use orthodontic wax, a tiny cotton ball, or a piece of gauze to enclose the wire’s end until you can visit the dentist’s office.
- Avoid cutting the wire since the broken pieces might be ingested or inhaled.
Soft Tissue Injury:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water.
- Use a piece of damp gauze to temporarily stop the bleeding.
- A cold compress may be used to alleviate discomfort.
- Make an appointment with us now.
How Can You Prevent Dental Injuries?
The risk of damaging your teeth increases when you do things like chew on hard foods, participate in contact sports, or take tumbles.
The following tips may help you prevent dental injuries:
- Put on a protective mouthguard before engaging in vigorous physical activity (such as skating or riding).
- Always fasten your seatbelt while driving a car. Use a car seat for kids under a certain age.
- Prevent injuries from falls and other causes by making your house childproof.
- Put the whole family on a regular dental maintenance schedule.
- Stay away from ice, popcorn kernels, and other hard foods that might chip or break your teeth.
- Never attempt to cut, tear, or rip anything with your teeth.
When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Assistance?
In case of any dental emergency, immediate medical attention is required. This is because a dental emergency can sometimes be frightening and may need immediate medical attention to avoid permanent damage. There’s also the possibility that a dental emergency is a symptom of something more severe. As a result, seeing a dentist is crucial for getting a correct diagnosis and effective therapy.
What To Do And Where To Go?
In case of any dental emergency, you should schedule an appointment with us. At Arvada Dental Center, we offer services to patients experiencing any dental emergency. Our dentist will check for cavities, infections, and gum disease during your dental checkup. In addition to providing routine dental check-ups, our dentists in Arvada also recommend oral hygiene practices and preventive measures to lower your chances of getting dental infections.
The Bottom Line:
A dental emergency may arise at any moment, and it can be both painful and upsetting. Learning how to respond effectively in case of a dental emergency may help you ease pain and prevent further difficulties. Here at Arvada Dental Center, we provide a 24/7 emergency hotline that patients may use to speak with our dental professional whenever they have a dental emergency. In order to alleviate your symptoms and give you the best possible treatment, we will reach to you as soon as possible to schedule you for an appointment the same day.
