Dental emergencies are more common than you may assume them to be. You may encounter an accident that damages your teeth, or you may be experiencing sudden pain due to an infection. However, some severe dental problems may not necessarily be emergencies.
A missing tooth, severe pain and inflammation, a chipped tooth, and issues surrounding dental crowns may be severe dental problems, but they aren’t always considered emergencies.
The term “emergency” is used for anything that has occurred quickly and requires immediate attention and treatment.
It is crucial to determine whether emergency dental services or hospital treatments are required for your dental problem. A delay in proper care could lead to further dental problems.
This article will help you identify a dental emergency and what to do when you experience one.
Common Causes of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Here are some of the most common causes of dental emergencies:
- Getting injured while playing sports
- Car accidents
- Work injuries
- Falling off a bike
- Tripping and falling
- Cracked teeth from glass bottles, hard candies, etc.
It is best to wear protective gear such as a mouth guard to prevent dental emergencies when playing contact sports.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are often caused by injury and trauma. You may have any of the following:
- Missing, knocked out, or broken teeth
- Severe tooth pain
- A tooth filling coming out of the tooth
However, dental emergencies can also be caused by untreated teeth infections. This can lead to a tooth abscess or a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. This usually occurs at the gums beside the tooth root.
Whether or not it is an emergency, you would still need immediate dental care for any of these dental problems to prevent further complications.
When Is a Toothache an Emergency?
A toothache may not always be considered a dental emergency, but it usually indicates an underlying dental issue. If you don’t get this toothache addressed and treated, severe symptoms may develop and become a more significant issue.
It is best to be cautious and contact your dentist to assess whether or not you need immediate dental treatment for your toothache.
What Do You Do When Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
Don’t wait for the symptoms to worsen after dental trauma or try to treat the dental problem at home.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. If your dentist is not available, you should contact an emergency dentist.
If your teeth have been knocked out or dislodged, you can follow these steps and contact your dentist immediately:
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk.
- Place it back in the socket and apply gauze to hold it in place. Ideally, your teeth should be out of the mouth in less than an hour. Your dentist may still be able to save your teeth and put them back.
For chipped or broken teeth, you can also rinse and save the pieces in milk if possible.
Conclusion
Don’t wait for a dental emergency to happen before getting proper dental care. The longer you wait, the higher the chances of complications and more serious dental problems. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Are you looking for an emergency dentist in Utah? We at Smart Dental Care have a dedicated team of healthcare professionals to see to your dental emergency immediately. Give us a call for quick pain relief!