8 Dental Emergencies and What to Do Right Away

Dental emergencies come in different forms, some more urgent than others. For example, are you in severe pain, bleeding excessively, experiencing swelling, or having a fever? Then contact or visit an emergency dentist near you. Some emergencies can be life-threatening, and avoiding immediate dental care can lead to more serious complications in the future.

Types of Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

A dental emergency requires immediate treatment to relieve severe pain or infection or stop ongoing bleeding. In addition, our specialist at Sunrise Dental of Auburn states that oral conditions like tooth decay or life situations such as sports can cause dental emergencies. The following are types of dental emergencies and how to deal with them.

1. Toothaches

Toothaches can indicate several complications, such as tooth decay, infected tooth pulp, or gum disease. However, you can deal with the pain before seeking immediate dental care by:

• Flossing to remove food particles trapped between your teeth.
• Dissolve a half tablespoon of salt in warm water and use the solution to rinse your mouth. This will reduce irritation and swelling.
• Take over-the-counter painkillers. Avoid placing the painkillers against the affected gum because they may burn the tissue.
• If you have a swollen face, place an ice pack on the cheek to reduce swelling and pain.

2. Knocked-out Tooth

Direct face trauma can cause a tooth to loosen or fall out, which calls for an emergency. For a loose tooth, try to keep it on its socket by gently biting it into place. If you have a knocked-out tooth, find the missing tooth and follow the following steps:

• Hold the located tooth by the crown and rinse it. Don’t scrub to remove any tissues from the tooth.
• Preserve the tooth by placing the tooth back into its socket and holding it into place. Don’t try to force it back. If you can’t fit it back, keep it in your mouth. You can also preserve the tooth by soaking it in milk.
• Seek emergency dental care within 30 minutes and ensure the tooth is moist to the dentist.

3. Abscess

Oral infections between the teeth and the gums are serious complications. If not treated, these infections can spread to the surrounding tissues. If unsure whether you have an infection, examine your gums by looking out for painful pimples. Then, contact an emergency dentist in Auburn, WA, for treatment to avoid future complications. Meanwhile, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply ice to the swollen area for relief.

4. Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Biting too hard on something or direct trauma can crack or chip your teeth. Cracked and chipped teeth are common dental injuries that require immediate care. This can help in preventing infections and saving the tooth. If you have a cracked or chipped tooth:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salty water. Look for rough edges and examine your tooth for pain or temperature sensitivity.
• Locate the missing piece and bring it to the dentist.
• Place an ice pack on the affected area if you have received a blow on the face.

5. Soft Tissue Injury

The lips, tongue, gums, and the inside of your cheeks are the soft tissues of your mouth. When one of them is injured, it can cause bleeding and may require you to seek emergency dental care near you. To control the bleeding:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salty water.
• Next, place a moist gauze on the bleeding site for about fifteen minutes.
• Relieve pain and reduce swelling by placing a cold compress on the outside of the cheek or mouth for a few minutes.
• See the dentist immediately if the bleeding doesn’t seem to go away. Hold the gauze in place until you see the dentist.

6. Lost Filling

Filings restore damaged teeth. So, when they break or loosen, they are replaced to prevent reinfection or further damage. For the lost filling, place sugarless gum on the cavity.

7. Loose or Broken Braces

Braces are made to endure the daily wear and tear with chewing, talking, and eating. But, despite all this, they can also break or stick out and poke your gums and cheeks. This can cause discomfort and slow down the process of teeth alignment. If this happens, try to push the broken wire into a more comforting position. You can also cover the exposed end using small cotton or gauze. However, do not tempt to cut the wire to prevent swallowing.

8. Excessive Bleeding After Tooth Extraction

Are you experiencing some pain and bleeding after a tooth extraction? Well, that’s normal. However, if the pain and the bleeding persist, contact your dentist. Control the bleeding by placing a thick gauze pad over the site and applying pressure by biting down the gauze. Avoid rinsing, eating, or drinking in the meantime.