Dental emergencies can happen at any time and they usually happen when you least expect them. Whether it’s a chipped tooth from a fall, a sudden toothache that keeps you up at night, or a tooth knocked out during a friendly sports game, knowing what to do in these situations can make a big difference to the outcome. In this article we’ll explore some factors around emergency dentistry and discuss what to do in various dental emergency scenarios.
Emergency Dentistry: you may need it anytime.
One of the crucial aspects of understanding emergency dentistry is acknowledging that dental emergencies can happen when you are least expect it. Unlike your regular scheduled dental visits, emergencies don’t wait for a convenient moment. They can happen in the middle of the night, during a weekend getaway, or even on your annual holiday. So it’s important to be prepared and know how to respond promptly when faced with an unexpected dental issue.
Handling Damaged or Knocked out Teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth: If you’ve chipped or cracked a tooth, the first step is to rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area. If there’s any bleeding, apply some gauze to the area with a light pressure until the bleeding stops. Applying a cold compress can help with any swelling and assist to stem the blood flow. Make sure you visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible for professional assessment and treatment.
- Knocked out tooth: In this case, time is of the essence. Handle the tooth by the crown or the top of the tooth, not the root – try to avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to re-insert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place with gentle pressure. If reinserting it isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container with some milk and see your emergency dentist immediately as quick action increases the chances of saving the tooth.
- Sudden Toothache: A sudden severe toothache can be excruciating. Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss to ensure there is no debris stuck between your teeth. For persistent pain, over the counter pain relief may help temporarily, but it’s advisable to see your emergency dentist promptly to address the cause of the pain.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While it’s impossible to eliminate all dental emergencies, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.
- Maintain Regular Dental Check Ups: Your routine maintenance appointments can catch issues before they develop into an emergency situation.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss every day to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you play contact sport a mouthguard is essential protection against damage.
- Be cautious with food: Hard or sticky foods can cause havoc to your teeth, so stay mindful of what you are eating.
- Teeth are not Tools: Avoid using teeth to open packaging or bottles.
Contact us in case of Dental Emergency
We are well aware that dental emergencies can occur anytime to anyone, knowing how best to respond can make a significant impact in preserving your oral health and minimizing your discomfort.
Our clinic holds emergency spots open every day so that we are able to treat emergency patients quickly and get them out of discomfort. Our experienced team of emergency practitioners provide prompt and compassionate care to get you out of immediate distress.
Keep the number of your emergency clinic handy at all times, remembering that despite our busy schedule, we hold emergency appointments in reserve each day for this purpose.