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What are the common causes of a dental emergency?
If you suffer from any dental situation that will require care from a dentist then it is considered a dental emergency. Specifically, this can include:
Damaged or Knocked Out Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth can usually be repaired but will require urgent dental care. The dentist may be able to repair the fracture or chip with a filling, whereas more serious breaks may need a crown or root canal.
For teeth that have been knocked out, a dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place within approximately an hour of the incident. The tooth has a better chance of taking root again within this time frame. After the two-hour mark, the chances decrease significantly, and alternative measures will have to be considered.
Toothache With No Relief
If you experience a toothache you cannot manage with over-the-counter pain medication, first, apply ice to the area and contact your dentist as soon as possible, as this is considered a dental emergency.
Toothaches can indicate potential major dental issues, and so it is important to take them seriously.
Dislodged Dental Filling
dental fillings are meant to strengthen your teeth and protect the soft sensitive pulp from being affected by bacteria. If you lose a filling then it’s important to see a dentist to have the filling replaced as soon as possible. You can protect the area until you get to the dentist by replacing the filling temporarily with a softened piece of sugarless gum.
Debris Stuck in Between Teeth
You should contact your dentist right away if you have an object stuck in your teeth that cannot be removed with your finger or with floss. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, do not use a sharp object to attempt to remove it yourself as this could push it further between your teeth - or injure your gums.
Bitten Tongue or Lip With Excessive Bleeding
While it can be quite easy to accidentally bite your lip, tongue or cheek, any bleeding is usually shortlived. However, sometimes you may experience bleeding that cannot be quelled and need immediate medical care. In the meantime, apply a clean cloth to the bleeding part of the mouth and press down. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, and look for urgent dental care.
Infection or Dental Abscess
When you experience a dental abscess or infection then you will have a pocket of pus that has formed beneath the surface of your gums. This very painful condition usually develops from a bacterial infection, often within the soft pulp of the tooth or the root of the tooth. They can be caused by a cavity that’s been left untreated, severe gum disease or perhaps a chipped tooth.
Symptoms can include anything from a bad taste in your mouth to swollen glands, pain, pus or fever. If you are experiencing a dental abscess then you will likely require surgery in order to properly treat the issue.
