Don’t Panic: How to Handle Dental Emergencies Before You Reach Our Office
Don’t Panic: How to Handle Dental Emergencies Before You Reach Our Office
25/02/2024
Experiencing dental emergencies? Here’s what to do before you get to us
Dental emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time to strike. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or a lost filling, the initial shock and pain can leave you wondering what to do next.
Before panic sets in, remember: immediate and right actions can make a big difference. This quick guide is designed to help you handle dental emergencies calmly and effectively until you can reach professional care.
So, arm yourself with this knowledge to take care of such dental emergencies when they arise.
Know What’s Considered Dental Emergencies
When something goes wrong with your teeth or gums, it can be tough to tell if it’s a case that requires urgent attention or something that can wait.
Understanding the difference is crucial. So, what exactly counts as dental emergencies? Let’s break it down into clear, straightforward examples:
Severe Pain: If you’re experiencing intense pain that doesn’t go away, it’s a sign that something serious might be happening.
A Knocked-Out Tooth: Whether it’s from a fall or a sports accident, a tooth that’s completely out of your mouth is a definite emergency.
Loose Tooth: Adults should never have loose teeth. A loose tooth, especially if it’s painful, needs urgent attention.
Bleeding Gums: While some bleeding might occur if you’re brushing too hard, continuous bleeding or bleeding with pain is a red flag.
Swelling in the Mouth or Jaw: This can indicate an infection, such as an abscess, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Broken Teeth: If your teeth are broken or chipped significantly, especially if it’s causing pain, that’s an emergency.
Lost Filling or Crown: While it might not seem urgent, a lost filling or crown can lead to further damage or infection if not addressed quickly.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these situations, it’s time to seek immediate dental assistance. Remember, acting fast can not only relieve pain but also save your oral health!
It’s Important to Stay Calm in Dental Emergencies
Once you are able to figure out your case calls for urgent attention, then the next thing you should do is stay calm. That’s crucial for handling the situation effectively.
Panic can cloud your judgment, making it harder to take the necessary steps to protect your or someone else’s oral health.
Take a deep breath, reassure yourself or the person affected that help is on the way, and focus on the next steps.
Remember, your ability to remain composed can make a significant difference in managing the emergency until professional care is received.
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. The sooner you act, the better the chances of saving the tooth. Follow these steps carefully:
Pick Up the Tooth by the Crown: Carefully pick it up by the top part (the crown), avoiding touching the root. The root contains important cells that are necessary for reattachment.
Rinse if Dirty: If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water. Do not use soap, or chemicals, or scrub it. It’s crucial to keep it as intact as possible.
Try to Reinsert It: If possible, try to place the tooth back into its socket. Gently push it in with your fingers, making sure it’s facing the right way. Do not force it.
Keep It Moist: If you can’t reinsert the tooth, keep it moist at all times. Place it in a small container of milk (preferred) or saliva. Avoid storing it in water, as this can damage the root cells.
See a Dentist Immediately: Time is critical. Head to our dental office as soon as possible. The sooner a knocked-out tooth is reinserted by a professional, the higher the chance it will survive.
Remember, handling a knocked-out tooth with care and speed is key to saving it. Keep our emergency contact details handy, so you can reach us quickly in such situations.
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is a signal from your body that something is wrong. Acting quickly not only helps manage the pain but also prevents potential further damage to your teeth and gums. Here’s how to manage the pain before reaching our office:
Rinse Your Mouth: Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water to clean it out. This can help dislodge any trapped food particles or debris that might be causing pain.
Use Floss: Gently floss around the affected tooth to remove any food particles or plaque that might be adding to the pain. Be careful not to aggravate the area.
Cold Compress: For swelling or pain on the face, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time. This can help reduce it and numb the pain temporarily.
Pain Relief: If needed, take over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help manage the pain. Always follow the dosage instructions on the package.
Avoid Certain Foods: Stay away from very hot or cold foods and drinks, as they might worsen the pain. Stick to soft, lukewarm foods until you can get professional treatment.
Call Our Office: Don’t wait it out. Severe toothache needs professional evaluation to treat the underlying cause effectively. Contact us to arrange an emergency visit as soon as possible.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth can cause pain and increase the risk of infection. That is why you need to know how to manage it right away.
Rinse Your Mouth: Begin by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water to clean the area. This helps remove any tooth fragments or debris.
Save Any Pieces: If you can find the broken tooth pieces, save them. Rinse them gently with water. Sometimes, they can be reattached by your dentist.
Apply Gauze if Bleeding: If there’s any bleeding, apply a piece of sterile gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
Cold Compress for Swelling: Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek near the broken tooth to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Do this for 20-minute intervals.
Cover Sharp Edges: If the broken tooth has sharp edges, cover them with a piece of dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek from cuts.
Pain Relief: Take over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary to help manage discomfort. Remember to follow the package’s instructions for use.
Lost Crown or Filling
Losing a crown or filling can leave your tooth exposed and vulnerable to sensitivity and further damage. Here’s what to do:
Retrieve the Crown or Filling: If possible, find and keep the lost crown or filling. It may be possible for your dentist to reattach it.
Rinse and Inspect: Gently rinse the crown, filling, and your mouth with warm water to clean them. Avoid swallowing any small pieces.
Temporary Protection: If you can’t see a dental professional right away, you can use dental cement available at most pharmacies to temporarily reattach the crown or cover the tooth. Do NOT use super glue or any other non-dental adhesive.
Cover the Tooth: If you’ve lost a filling, you can temporarily fill the gap with dental cement or even a piece of sugar-free gum as a last resort until you get to the dentist. This can help protect the exposed area and reduce sensitivity.
Manage Pain and Sensitivity: If the tooth is sensitive without its crown or filling, avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort.
Soft Tissue Injury
Soft tissue injuries in the mouth, such as cuts, lacerations, or tears to the gums, tongue, cheeks, or lips, require immediate care to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. Here’s how to manage a soft tissue injury before getting an emergency dental treatment.
Clean the Area: Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) to clean out the wound and help reduce bacteria.
Stop the Bleeding: Apply pressure to the injured area with a clean piece of gauze or a tea bag for 15 to 20 minutes. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, continue applying pressure and seek immediate medical attention.
Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek adjacent to the injury for about 10-20 minutes. This can help reduce swelling and control bleeding.
Pain Management: If you’re experiencing pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. However, be sure to follow the recommended dosage on the package.
Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages: Until you can see a dental professional, consume soft foods and avoid spicy, acidic, or hot beverages that could aggravate the injury.
We Are Here for You When You Need Us Most
When a dental urgency strikes, remember that you’re not alone; Northway Dental Practice is here to provide the immediate care and support you need.
Suffering in silence is never the answer. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, a severe toothache, a lost crown or filling, or a soft tissue injury, we understand the urgency and the discomfort you’re experiencing.
Our dedicated team is prepared to offer prompt, compassionate care to alleviate your pain and address the issue. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us immediately.
We prioritise emergencies to ensure that you receive the attention and treatment necessary to protect your oral health and well-being.
Yes, an emergency dentist can remove teeth if necessary. Tooth extraction is a common emergency procedure performed when a tooth is too damaged or decayed to be saved, or if it poses a risk to your oral health.
Our emergency dentists are equipped to handle such situations with the aim of relieving pain and preventing further complications.
Before proceeding with an extraction, we will assess the condition of your tooth and discuss the best course of action with you.
Will I pay more for emergency care?
The cost of emergency care can vary and might be higher than regular dental visits due to the immediate attention and treatment required.
Emergency appointments often necessitate rearranging our schedule and providing care outside of normal business hours. However, the exact cost can depend on the type of treatment needed and the complexity of the case.
How much is an emergency dental care in Ormskirk?
The cost of urgent dental care in Ormskirk can vary widely based on the specific treatment you need, the dentist you visit, and whether you have dental insurance that covers emergency procedures.
Prices can range significantly, so we recommend that you contact us now for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
