A dental emergency involves an issue with your teeth or gums that requires prompt attention from a dental professional. These situations may involve severe pain, bleeding, or trauma that may put a tooth at risk. Knowing how to identify these problems helps you understand when to seek immediate dental care, as prompt action is often advised to address the issue. Here is more information about dental emergencies that require care:
Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or broken tooth may need immediate dental attention, especially if it causes sharp pain or leaves jagged edges. You might rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. If the break is severe or a large piece has come off, it is a good idea to save the fragment in milk and take it to the dentist.
Knocked-out Teeth
When a permanent tooth is knocked out, time is a significant factor in the possibility of saving it. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, and gently rinse it without scrubbing. You may attempt to place the tooth back into its socket, or you can transport it in a small container of milk or your own saliva to a dental office right away.
If replacing the tooth is not possible, keeping it moist is helpful to preserve it for reattachment. Act quickly, as the chances of successfully saving the tooth decrease significantly after a short period. Doing these steps quickly helps.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of a tooth, indicating a serious infection. Symptoms include a persistent, throbbing toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and sometimes a foul taste in your mouth. Because dental emergencies will not resolve on their own, professional evaluation is necessary to address the source of the infection.
The infection from an abscess has the potential to spread to your jaw, neck, or even your brain if left untreated. While you wait for dental care, rinsing your mouth with a mild saltwater solution a few times a day might provide some temporary relief from discomfort. A dentist will need to drain the abscess and treat the underlying cause to resolve the problem.
You might notice a bump on your gums near the painful tooth, which is a sign of the abscess. This bump might burst, releasing pus and reducing the pain, but the infection still remains active. A dentist may perform a root canal to remove the infection, or, in some cases, an extraction may be required.
Infected Areas or Swelling
Swelling in your face, gums, or jaw is a sign of infection that warrants a visit to a dentist. This symptom may be accompanied by a fever, a bad taste in your mouth, or difficulty opening your mouth or swallowing. Infections in the mouth can become serious, so they need to be addressed by a healthcare professional.
Get Treated for Dental Emergencies
Recognizing the signs of a dental emergency helps you know when to seek prompt care. Conditions such as a knocked-out tooth, a severe toothache caused by an abscess, or facial swelling are all reasons to contact a dental professional. Addressing these issues quickly provides an opportunity to manage the problem effectively. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, schedule an appointment with a dental spa for an evaluation.
