Dental emergencies are commonly experienced in the US, and they come in many forms. Knowing which is a standard dental issue versus an emergency one is another common problem for most.
When is the best time to visit your dentist? To answer this, we’ve compiled some signs that you are under an emergency teeth situation and the list of actual dental emergencies.
How to assess if your condition is an emergency
If you’re experiencing any of the following, your dental condition is considered an emergency.
- You are in severe pain
- You lost a tooth or a false tooth/teeth
- There is swelling inside your mouth (or noticeably swelling in your face)
- You are bleeding from the mouth
To give you a clearer understanding, here are five dental emergencies you should not ignore:
1. Toothache
If there’s a dental emergency that is often experienced by many, that’s a toothache. Though experiencing toothaches is something you can subside with home treatment and some over-the-counter medications, you must immediately consult your dentist to know the intensity of your tooth damage. Without a professional diagnosis, you wouldn’t know how to treat it properly. Your dentist would inform you if the infection affects the nearby teeth and how it can be prevented.
2. Pain in the jaw
In case you experience pain in the jaw or broke it, you must immediately see your dentist. A broken jaw can lead to major complications. Your dentist can guide you on how to deal with it, minimize damages, and accelerate the healing. It is best to take medication to subside the pain and apply a cold compress on the face to avoid the swelling. Then, your dentist can tell you what else you can and can’t do to avoid further complications.
3. Cracked or broken teeth
When you crack or break a tooth, and you experience pain, drink a pain reliever medicine to help ease the pain. You can also use a cold compress to prevent your face from swelling. While a painless cracked tooth can wait, having a painful fracture or a sharp fragment left in your teeth is considered an emergency. Set an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can so that they can fix it. You will either get a filling, a root canal, or a crown, depending on the situation.
4. Knocked out tooth
A knocked-out tooth is something dentists can still save depending on the case, so call your dentist immediately when that happens. You have to save the tooth and put it in a glass of milk without any rinsing or cleaning. Avoid touching the root end of the fallen tooth. The longer it stays out of your mouth, the more difficult it is to save it, so head to your dentist’s clinic straight away.
5. Missing temporary tooth/teeth
When your dental crown loosens, seek the help of your dentist for immediate treatment. The longer it stays out of your mouth, the more sensitive your teeth will become over time. If immediate assistance is impossible, try to apply vaseline to your teeth, and use it as a temporary adhesive to your dental crown.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies are difficult to categorize as urgent situations, especially if pain killers or some cold compress can help tone down the pain. While these are temporary solutions, it is always best to consult your dentist to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Prevent these teeth emergencies by staying proactive when it comes to oral health and regularly visiting your dental clinic for cleaning and checkups.
For your dental emergencies in Ann Arbor and Waterford, Michigan, contact us immediately. We offer various dental services to meet your teeth’s emergency needs. We also offer free consultations. Get in touch with us!