4 Types of Dental Emergencies
by Lonnie Bryant
Emergencies knock when we least expect them. It's always good to be prepared by learning how to identify and classify dental emergencies and how to react should your loved one have one.
When is a Dental Problem Termed a Dental Emergency?
Check the following situation to learn when it's time to run to the nearest emergency dentist:
- You're experiencing mouth bleeds
- You have severe pain in your gum
- Any of your teeth have loosened up
- You have bumps on your gums
- If you have a swelling around the mouth or chin areas
- If prompt action can save your tooth
It's advisable that you take an immediate action if any of the above situations happens to you; call your emergency dentist right away and describe your symptoms.
What are the Different Types of Dental Emergencies?
Toothache
When you have a toothache, it's your body trying to send you a message that something is wrong. It could indicate several things; tooth decay, infected gums, exposed roots, tooth abscess, or something else. In case you experience a toothache, it's advisable that you rinse your mouth with warm water and then massage the area experiencing pain with an ice pack or cold cloth. Keep massaging for about 20 minutes and then let the jaw warm up again before repeating the process until the pain subsides.
Injury to the Teeth
What if you break a tooth or completely knock it out of your mouth? Now this's what you call a real dental emergency! You need to take immediate action to save the tooth. Put it straight into a container with either salt water or milk, and seal it. Rush to your emergency dentist and your tooth could be saved. However, if your tooth is not saved, you can explore other alternatives such as dental implants or bridges.
Lost Crown or Filling
Due to wear and tear, the crown or filling could fall out. This shouldn't be ignored as it could be a sign that another cavity might be forming in your tooth. Also, without the crown or filling, your teeth can experience sensitivity to temperatures changes and debris. Make sure to rinse your mouth out thoroughly with warm water if this happens to you. After that, fill the cavity with cotton wool before rushing to your emergency dentist.
Swelling and Gum Pain
Swelling and gum pain indicate a problem- either there is something foreign in your gums or an infection. You need to rush to your nearest dentist for treatment.
Injury to Soft Tissues in Your Mouth
This refers to any injury to your facial tissues, lips, tongue, and cheek.
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About Me
There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.