Dental emergencies can arise at any time and are typically the result of an injury or a problem that escalates quickly. Seeking immediate care can prevent issues from getting worse and save patients from harsher treatments down the road. Doctors at the emergency room can give you pain relief, but they will not be able to fix your teeth. Instead, visit a dental emergency dentist near me to save your teeth and solve the problem.
Rinsing the mouth with salt water and applying a cold compress can provide temporary relief for some dental emergencies. However, patients with severe pain should seek emergency dental treatment immediately.
Toothache
Toothaches can be painful and may indicate serious dental problems like decay or an infection. Rinsing with cold or warm water and taking over-the-counter painkillers can relieve the pain temporarily.
If your toothache is severe, contact a dentist right away for an emergency appointment. The doctors at the emergency room can only help ease the pain and stop the bleeding, but they cannot treat your teeth or restore any damage that occurred.
Broken Tooth
Depending on the severity of your broken tooth, you may need to visit an emergency dentist. A dentist will conduct a thorough exam, which includes x-rays, to evaluate your teeth and gums.
They’ll use a dental probe to feel for crack lines and might stain your tooth with a dye to see it better. Apply a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding and ice packs to reduce swelling.
Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth is a common dental emergency that can be treated by a dentist. The treatment depends on the severity of the damage and the location of the tooth in the mouth.
A chipped tooth is not only painful, but it also damages the integrity of the teeth. This is why it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Broken Filling
Tooth fillings help seal tooth decay and protect the tooth from further damage. However, even though they’re fairly durable, dental fillings can still break.
When a tooth filling breaks, you should never ignore it. Instead, take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen and rinse your mouth with warm salt water. You can also use clove oil to numb the area. Cover any sharp edges with orthodontic wax.
Broken Crown
A broken dental crown is considered a dental emergency, especially if it is causing pain or sensitivity. Call your dentist right away and protect the tooth by refraining from chewing on it until your appointment.
Your dentist will probably recommend replacing the crown with a new one to avoid worsening decay and sensitivity. In the meantime, you can apply a cold compress to ease any discomfort and take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Broken Bridge
Getting treated for a dental emergency isn’t something that anyone plans for. But, these issues can happen at any time and should be addressed right away to prevent more serious complications.
Many of these issues are best handled by a dentist who has dedicated late night & weekend hours to serving those in need. Finding this type of specialist isn’t difficult with the help of an online resource.
Broken Braces
Braces are incredible innovations that gently correct crooked teeth and align bites, but they are not without their challenges. They can easily break or become dislodged during sports, rough play, or eating crunchy snacks.
If a wire breaks and pokes into your cheek or gum, try using the eraser end of a pencil to push it to a more comfortable position. Do not cut the wire, as this may lead to further damage.
Broken Wires
Severe tooth pain or pressure and knocked-out teeth are dental emergencies that require immediate attention. To increase the chances of saving a knocked-out tooth, locate all tooth fragments, rinse with warm water, and hold it by its crown.
A broken arch wire can poke the cheeks and gums, so try repositioning it using tweezers or a pencil eraser. Cover the sharp end with a small amount of orthodontic relief wax until you can see a dentist.
Broken Abscess
A broken abscess is an infection that can be painful. Pus, a foul taste in the mouth, fever and swelling are symptoms of an abscessed tooth that should be treated right away.
Knocked Out Tooth
When a tooth is knocked out, the first priority should be to locate it and pick it up carefully without touching its root. Storing it in water is not recommended since this can destroy cells on the root surface and reduce the chances of successful re-implantation.
Knocked out baby teeth should not be reimplanted because they can interfere with the development of permanent teeth. However, a knocked out adult tooth can be saved if it is treated promptly.