Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and they don’t always involve a broken tooth or cut lip. Sometimes, a dental emergency care is much more subtle. It might even go unnoticed for some time until the underlying issue gets worse.
If you think you might have a dental emergency, it’s best to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. Dental emergencies are not something to take lightly. Depending on the type of emergency that you have, it could lead to complications or other serious problems later on if left untreated.
Here is everything you need to know about dental emergencies and what to do when you have one so that you can get the care that you need as quickly as possible.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation where you need immediate dental care. They usually occur quickly, and they can be extremely painful and lead to other complications if they are not treated promptly. Some dental emergencies are easy to spot and others may go unnoticed until they become a bigger problem.
The most common dental emergencies include bleeding gums, severe toothaches, loose teeth, chipped teeth, and infection. There are other emergencies that occur with less frequency. Signs and symptoms of a dental emergency care include:
Severe toothache: This is a pain that does not go away even after you have taken pain killer.
Swelling, redness, and/or warmth around the affected tooth: This is caused by a buildup of bacteria in your mouth.
Swelling in your face: This is caused by the pressure of the infection being pushed towards your face.
Bleeding gums: Gums that bleed easily when you clean your teeth may be a sign of an infection.
Sudden loose teeth: Loose teeth are caused by the gum line receding and the bone around your teeth being weakened by plaque and tartar buildup.
Types of Dental Emergencies to Watch Out For
If you think you have a dental emergency, you should contact your dentist right away. Treating a dental emergency as soon as possible can help to prevent it from getting worse and lead to a shorter treatment process. There are some dental emergencies that need to be treated right away and others that can be treated within several days or weeks. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies and when they need to be treated:
Toothache: This is one of the most common dental emergencies. Toothaches can be caused by cavities, gum disease, or other issues. When you have a toothache, it typically gets worse throughout the day and gets better the next day. Treatment for this type of emergency includes antibiotics and taking a pain reliever to help with the pain.
Swollen or bleeding gums: This is often caused by gum disease. This is a serious issue but can be treated without needing a root canal. If you have this type of emergency, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible to help prevent the problem from getting worse.
Loose teeth: This happens when the gums recede and the teeth become loose. This could also be caused by a cyst, trauma, or an infection. Treatment for loose teeth varies depending on the cause of the problem.
Cracked tooth: A cracked tooth can be caused by an accident, bruxism, grinding your teeth, or an infection. This is a serious dental problem and can lead to a root canal or even a tooth extraction if left untreated.
Broken Tooth Dental Emergency
A broken tooth can be caused by an accident or if you clench or grind your teeth. If you have a broken tooth, you will likely feel some pain and you may notice that the tooth has shifted out of place. If you have a broken tooth, you should clean the area and then see a dentist as soon as possible.
There are a few ways that you can treat a broken tooth depending on the severity of the problem. If a small piece of the tooth has broken off or you have a chipped tooth, you can see a dentist to get it treated.
A cracked tooth needs to be treated as soon as possible because it can lead to an infection. You can also get an antibiotic prescription to help prevent an infection.
Knocked Out Tooth Dental Emergency
If you knock out a tooth, it’s important to try to put it back in its place. First, rinse the mouth with water to clean out any debris and blood. Then, grab the tooth with a cloth and gently put it back in its place. Next, put ice on the area to help reduce swelling and pain.
After that, contact your dentist to set up an appointment. The sooner you get the tooth in the mouth, the higher the chance of getting it re-implanted. If you are unable to re-implanted the tooth at the scene, get the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible.
Your dentist will place it in a sterile solution and keep it in their office until you can get in to see them. They may also use an antibiotic to help prevent an infection. The dentist will then decide how to proceed. They may try to re-implant the tooth, or they may recommend a root canal or oral surgery.
Cracked Tooth Dental Emergency
If you have a cracked tooth, you may be able to treat it at home with a fluoride solution. Alternatively, you can go to the dentist and they may be able to use a fluoride solution. You may also be able to use a sealant to prevent the crack from getting worse.
If the crack is not treated and has gone through the enamel and dentin, it may require a root canal. The dentist may prescribe an antibiotic if the crack has gone through the gum line and there’s a chance of an infection.
Constantly Running Mouth/Chronic Mouth Breather Dental Emergency
If you are a chronic mouth breather, there’s a chance that you have a condition called an open bite. This can cause the upper and lower teeth to be misaligned. An open bite means that the back teeth are pushed forward and the front teeth are pushed backwards.
If you have an open bite, it can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and a buildup of bacteria in the mouth. An open bite can be treated with a frenectomy or a tongue tie release.
A frenectomy is a procedure that removes a piece of the tongue and will help to reduce the amount of mouth breathing. A tongue tie release will help to loosen the tongue and help to reduce the amount of mouth breathing.
Lost Crown or Bridging Dental Emergency
If you lose a crown (cap) or a bridging, it means that the underlying tooth has become exposed. This is a serious dental issue and can lead to an infection if not treated. If you have lost a crown or a bridging, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.
Root Canal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Dental Emergencies
Root canals and oral surgery are serious procedures that are used to treat dental issues. If you need one of these procedures, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. It’s best to get them treated within a week after the pain starts.
These procedures can take a couple of hours and require some general anesthesia. They can be very painful and are better treated as soon as possible. Root canals are used to treat teeth that have been damaged by an infection.
If the root of the tooth is infected, the bacteria can travel to the surrounding tissues and lead to other complications. Oral surgery is used to treat cavities and other dental issues that require surgery. It can also be used to treat gum or periodontal disease.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can happen at any time and they don’t always involve a broken tooth or cut lip. There are other emergencies that occur with less frequency and are just as important.
If you think you might have a dental emergency, it’s best to get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible. Dental emergencies are not something to take lightly and will lead to more problems if not treated promptly.
References:
1-Periodontal Disease
Available online 13 May 2008.
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2008.02.003
