You’re at work, minding your own business, when suddenly you feel a sharp pain in your tooth. You try to ignore it, but the pain gets worse and worse until you can’t take it anymore. You’ve got a dental emergency on your hands. Now what?
Don’t panic! Learning how to handle dental emergencies like a pro will help you keep calm in the face of adversity and get the treatment you need to tide you over until you can see your oshkosh dentists.
Table of Contents
What is a Dental Emergency?
First things first: What exactly qualifies as a dental emergency? According to the American Dental Association, a dental emergency is any situation that risks the loss of permanent teeth, causes uncontrolled bleeding, or results in facial swelling. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek out professional help
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
So, you think you might have a dental emergency on your hands. What should you do? The first thing you should do is call your dentist and explain the situation. They’ll likely be able to give you some advice over the phone and may even be able to see you on short notice. If they can’t, they’ll refer you to an after-hours dental clinic or an emergency room that can provide the care you need
Once you’re at the dentist or hospital, they’ll take x-rays to determine the cause of your problem and come up with a treatment plan. In some cases, such as when a tooth has been knocked out, there may not be much that can be done except wait for it to grow back or get fitted for dentures. However, in other cases, such as when a cavity has become infected, they may be able to provide immediate relief with antibiotics or a root canal procedure
Chipped Tooth: If you have chipped a tooth, try to find the piece of the tooth that has broken off and bring it with you to your dentist appointment. In the meantime, rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce swelling
- Cracked Tooth: If you have cracked a tooth, rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress to your cheek. Do not put any Aspirin directly on your gums because this can burn them. Seek professional help right away
- Lost Crown: If you have lost a crown, try to find the crown and bring it with you when you see your dentist. In the meantime, rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress if needed. You can also use denture adhesive or petroleum jelly to temporarily hold the crown in place until you can see your dentist
- Broken Braces: If you have broken braces, seek professional help right away. In the meantime, try to avoid eating hard foods or chewing on gum until you can get them fixed. Rinse your mouth out with warm water if needed
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can be scary, but if you know how to handle them like a pro, they don’t have to be! Just remember to stay calm and call your dentist right away. They’ll be able to help you figure out what’s going on and get the treatment