Any dental issue that must be fixed immediately is considered an emergency. Dental emergencies are not always necessary. However, you require dental emergency care if you are bleeding that won’t stop, discomfort that isn’t relieved by medication, or face bones that have been fractured. Some injuries to your teeth or gums can get worse and cause more harm. For treatment for a dental emergency, it’s crucial to call your dentist immediately or visit the emergency room. As an emergency dentist in Orangeville explains, most dental emergencies, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth, are treated in the dentist’s office. You should visit the emergency hospital immediately if you have suffered a more serious injury, like a fractured face bone.
What to Do and Where to Go for a Dental Emergency
Calling your dentist for further instructions should be your first action if you have a dental emergency. You can often phone their emergency number if you need a dentist after regular work hours. If you don’t have a dentist, visit an urgent care facility or the closest emergency hospital.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Examples of dental emergencies include:
- Extreme toothache
- Bad dental fracture
- Missing tooth.
- A tooth that has partially extruded.
- Dental abscess (facial and jaw edema).
- The dental restoration that is missing or damaged.
- Severe soft tissue damage (such as a deep cut or cracked lip).
I Don’t Know If What I’m Experiencing Is a Dental Emergency. What Should I Do?
Other problems do not constitute dental emergencies. In other words, while you should still make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, it’s acceptable to wait for one within typical office hours. Problems that aren’t dental emergencies, for instance:
- Dull or minor tooth pain.
- Small tooth chip or crack.
- Broken braces.
- Object stuck between your teeth.
- Small soft tissue injury, such as a cut or sore.
But remember that you should visit a dentist or other healthcare professional immediately if you are experiencing extreme bleeding or pain.
How Can I Manage My Symptoms Until I See My Dentist?
Dull toothache:
Use warm water to rinse your mouth. To check for obstructions between your teeth, use dental floss. Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen. Never apply aspirin to your gums directly. Your tissue will burn. Make an appointment by calling your dentist.
Small tooth chip or crack:
It’s okay to wait until your dentist can examine you if your tooth chip or crack isn’t hurting. However, you should apply orthodontic wax to sharp edges that can harm your tongue or cheeks. Orthodontic wax is typically available in the pharmacy’s oral care section.
Broken Braces:
Broken braces often aren’t a dental emergency unless you have mouth bleeding. Use a pencil eraser or another dull instrument to gently bend the broken wire’s end if it sticks you in the cheek or the tongue. When you can’t see your dentist or orthodontist immediately, wrap the wire with braces wax.
Object stuck between your teeth:
Try using dental floss or an interproximal brush to remove anything stuck between your teeth gently. Never attempt to remove an object with sharp objects.
Small soft tissue injuries, such as a cut or sore:
Rinse your mouth completely with mouthwash or a saltwater solution to kill microorganisms. Fresh cotton gauze should be used to pressure the affected area. It should take 15 to 20 minutes for the bleeding to stop. After that, if you’re still bleeding heavily, you should get help right away.
