What has been your experience with dental emergencies? Toothache is among the most common issues that most people have to deal with at some point in life. Usually, it occurs at odd hours and even causes sleepless nights. It becomes an emergency when the pain becomes too much and cannot go away with painkillers. It is at this point that San Ramon Emergency Dentistry comes in place to provide the proper care you need to overcome your dental problem and prevent further damage. Keep reading as we look at the common dental emergencies and the proper ways to respond to them.
What is emergency dentistry?
Emergency dentistry involves providing immediate dental care to offer pain relief, and restore your dental health. Usually, when an emergency occurs, our first thought is to rush to a hospital, but what you do even before you reach your health provider can help save your teeth.
Therefore, emergency dentistry also provides you with helpful information to deal with various dental emergencies. It also means getting the proper dental care in the shortest possible time, without waiting for the scheduled appointments.
When do you need emergency dentistry?
Most emergency dentistry issues occur unexpectedly during sports activities or physical accidents. However, not everything requires emergency attention.
You need emergency dental care if you experience a dental problem that you feel cannot wait for your dental appointment. For example, severe pain or bleeding, damaged teeth, or severe dental infections may not wait, and requires you to get the fastest care possible.
Some of the dental emergencies include the following;
- Knocked out tooth
- Cracked or abscessed teeth
- Severe tooth pain
- Tooth out of alignment
- Chipped tooth
How to deal with dental emergencies before you get to the hospital?
Here is how you can respond to various dental emergencies to help save your teeth.
Toothache
The most appropriate way to deal with a toothache is to take painkillers for pain relief. However, you must stick to the prescriptions and instructions to avoid misusing them.
Lost crown
If you happen to drop your crown, look for sugarless chewing gum or purchase the over-the-counter dental cement and try sticking the crown back in place. Please note that you should not use super glue in any case.
Where you have a broken crown, ensure to preserve the pieces and cover the broken part with dental cement.
Lost filling
If you have lost your dental filling, buy a temporary filling material to cover the cavity.
Knocked out tooth
You must seek immediate care as soon as possible. Before then, rinse your mouth with water while ensuring all the tissues are intact.
Try placing the tooth back in position; if not, place the tooth in some milk and add a little salt.
Chipped tooth
Ensure to preserve any available small pieces, then use warm water to rinse your mouth. You can use an ice pack to help with the swelling.
An abscess
Use salty warm water to rinse your mouth. A cold compress may also help relieve the swelling.
Do not ignore dental emergencies as they can harm your dental health. Contact San Ramon Dental Excellence today for immediate dental care services.