Throbbing tooth pain or a knocked out tooth can make any person panic. These conditions require immediate care to prevent serious complications.
A dental emergency is any injury or condition that needs immediate treatment to stop tissue bleeding, alleviate severe pain, and save a tooth. The etiologies vary, but common themes are present in most dental emergencies:
Toothache
Toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies, and it can be a serious cause for concern. While some toothaches may be due to a simple cavity or teeth grinding, severe pain is usually a sign of infection or an abscessed tooth. Infection and abscesses need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage and pain.
The first thing to do when you have a toothache is to rinse your mouth with warm water and floss the area. This will remove any food particles that could be causing irritation, and can also help reduce any swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use an ice pack to alleviate the pain. If the pain is too much to handle, contact our dentist for an emergency appointment.
Many people ignore toothache and other oral health issues, believing that they will go away on their own. However, ignoring dental emergencies will only lead to more expensive and invasive treatments down the road.
Having palatal expanders for your children, if needed, will help them not experience toothaches in the future. Moreover, some dental emergencies, like an infected tooth can spread bacteria to other parts of the body, leading to serious complications such as septicemia and rheumatoid fever. Therefore, it is essential to keep up with regular dental care and visit your dentist for a check-up every six months.
Broken Tooth
Tooth breaks happen more often than people think, due to physical trauma like sports injuries, falling accidents, and even when eating hard food or ice cubes. It’s important to call an emergency dentist as soon as possible, but there are things you can do in the meantime to prevent complications.
The first step is to rinse out the mouth with water or saltwater (not scrubbing, as this can cause further damage). If there is any bleeding, hold gauze over it until it stops. An ice pack will also help reduce swelling around the tooth and in the mouth.
In some cases, a break may not hurt and may only be cosmetic, such as a chip that doesn’t go down to the root. However, a serious crack or break can expose the tooth’s nerve and be very painful.
Some stores sell temporary kits to fix a broken tooth at home until you can get to the dentist. This can include dental wax to cover jagged edges, bonding material that can be molded to fit the shape of the tooth, and fillings for missing parts of a broken or cracked tooth. While these kits can be helpful, a visit to the dentist will always be the most effective solution. In addition to helping you save your broken tooth, they can also teach you how to protect your teeth in the future to avoid further breakage.
Tooth Extraction
A tooth extraction is a painful procedure but sometimes it is necessary for a patient’s oral health. Some teeth need to be removed due to extensive decay, severe gum disease or for orthodontic treatment. In some cases, it may also be required for cosmetic reasons. It is important to discuss replacement options with your dentist as it will have an impact on the chewing ability and alignment of the other teeth.
Often, while eating food, it gets stuck between the teeth. In such situations, it is advisable to use dental floss and rinse with salt water solution to remove the food particles. You should avoid using picks, pins or tweezers to extract the food as it can lead to further damage. If you have a persistent toothache, visit the emergency dentist immediately for an evaluation.
While most people think that a throbbing toothache is a dental emergency, you must not ignore it as it can cause serious damage. If left untreated, the pain might get worse and lead to a severe infection. Besides, it might even break the facial bones. Hence, it is recommended to visit an emergency dentist immediately to save your smile and avoid long-term damage.
The most common signs of a toothache are intense pain, bleeding and swelling. Besides, you might also experience extreme discomfort or trouble when eating and speaking. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to visit a emergency dentist in Tulsa right away. In addition to providing immediate relief, these emergency dentists can help you restore your teeth and smile. They also provide first aid tips to help you manage the situation at home until you can reach their clinic.
Knocked Out Tooth
Getting a tooth knocked out is considered a dental emergency and requires prompt action. If you’re in this unfortunate situation, do your best to locate the missing tooth and pick it up by its crown (the part that’s visible in your mouth). Don’t touch the root, as this could cause further damage. If you can, try putting the tooth back into its socket while biting down on a piece of gauze to hold it in place. If this isn’t possible, keep the tooth in a glass of milk or water to prevent it from drying out. Contact your dentist as soon as possible, and they’ll let you know what to do next.
Knocked out teeth that are reattached the quickest have the best chance of success. Storing the tooth in milk or water can also help prevent it from becoming dry, which makes it much more difficult for your dentist to reattach it.
It’s important to understand what types of injuries are considered dental emergencies so that you can take steps to prevent them from happening in the first place. This is the best way to avoid expensive and invasive dental treatments in the future.
Dental emergencies are painful and can lead to serious complications if not treated in a timely manner. By following the tips in this blog, you can reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency and save your smile. Taking care of your oral health through regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist can also help prevent dental emergencies from occurring. Hopefully, this information will help you stay ahead of the game and keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.
Infection
A tooth infection (also known as periapical abscess) is a dental emergency because it’s caused by bacteria entering the innermost part of your tooth. Bacteria can get into your tooth when it’s cracked or chipped, or when your gums are damaged. You may also develop a tooth infection if you have a compromised immune system. A tooth infection causes throbbing pain that often radiates to other parts of your mouth and neck. It can also cause fever and swollen lymph nodes in your neck or under your jaw.
Traumatic dental injuries are those that occur when your teeth or gums sustain an impact from a blow. These injuries can cause uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, or make it difficult to breathe or swallow. If left untreated, these dental emergencies can lead to long-term damage.
While good oral hygiene and routine dental care help prevent most emergencies, accidents do happen. Knowing what constitutes a dental emergency and what to do in the event of one can save you from a lot of pain and damage.
Dental emergencies are any injury to the teeth, gums, and mouth that requires immediate treatment from a dentist to stop tissue bleeding, relieve severe pain, or prevent infection. These emergencies can be caused by many things, from an accidental fall to a sports injury to a knocked out tooth. By following these tips, you can prevent long-term damage and maintain your oral health.
