Dental emergencies never happen at the right times. Furthermore, they can cause pain, inconveniences and interruptions in your life. Still, there’s always a chance of one happening, so your emergency dentist in Columbus explains how to identify one and also gives advice on what you can do to stabilize the situation. Read on to get the information you need to protect yourself.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that causes a sudden change in your oral health. Here are some of the more common types that people encounter:
- Knocked-out or dislodged teeth
- Persistent toothache
- Tooth abscess
- Foreign object lodged between teeth
- Broken tooth
- Broken filling, crown, or other dental work
If you find yourself in any of the above situations, the first thing to do is take a deep breath and resist any urge to panic. You should then reach out to your emergency dentist to get the help you need.
For a Knocked-Out Tooth, Do This
If one of your teeth is knocked out, you have a small window to have it successfully reinserted. Thus, it’s important that you contact your emergency dentist immediately.
Until you can be seen for treatment, you should grab the tooth by the crown and soak it in milk. This will help to keep the roots and nerves active until the tooth can be reinserted.
What to Do for a Toothache or Tooth Abscess
A toothache can be caused by such things as an overlooked cavity or grinding your teeth. It can be painful and requires immediate attention.
An abscessed tooth is an even more pressing issue because the infection is internally derived and can spread to other parts of the body. Thus, it must be treated even more expeditiously.
For temporary relief, you can apply a cold compress to your face and take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen.
Responding to an Object Stuck in Teeth
If you have an object stuck in your teeth, the severity of the situation depends on what the object is and whether it has punctured any of your soft tissues. If you have excessive bleeding that lasts more than 10 minutes, then you should immediately head to the emergency room.
Broken Tooth
For a broken tooth, gargle with a salt-water solution and be sure not to chew any food on that side of your mouth until you can be treated.
Damaged Restoration
If you’ve had a crown, cavity filling or some other type of restoration that fails, then your tooth is left vulnerable to infection. Until you can be seen by your dentist, you can use a small amount of dental adhesive to reinsert the fixture. Keep in mind, though, this is only a temporary solution.
By having an idea of the different types of dental emergencies that can happen and what to do for them, you can be better prepared to effectively respond until you can be treated by your emergency dentist.
About the Author
When dental emergencies happen, you want to feel comfortable that the problem will be handled. Dr. Eric Buck has the experience and know-how to deliver the care that will soon restore you to normal. The Ohio State University College of Dentistry graduate is available when you need him at Creative Smiles and can be reached for more information through his website.