Most people have experienced a dental emergency at some point in their life. At the same time, people might think they have a dental emergency but have a minor issue. So, what are considered dental emergencies?
Below, we discuss what dental problems qualify as dental emergencies and what to do about them. Contact us today for an emergency dentist in Palm Beach Gardens!
Common Dental Emergencies
Generally, any tooth issue that causes mild to severe pain can be considered a dental emergency. However, some conditions that don’t produce large amounts of pain might also be dental emergencies. You should always see a dentist for dental tooth emergencies, as emergency rooms don’t have the right equipment.
Below is a list of what are considered dental emergencies and what you should do when they occur.
Toothache
Toothaches usually indicate something is wrong with your teeth, whether it’s a cavity, tooth decay, or another issue. Sometimes, you can deal with a toothache without an emergency dental appointment. If you experience swelling and bleeding in addition to a toothache, you should call a dentist as soon as possible.
You can apply a cold compress to your jaw to reduce any tooth pain. You can prevent toothaches from forming with proper dental hygiene and regular dentist appointments.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency. If your tooth is knocked out, you should find the missing tooth and rinse off the root. Don’t scrub the knocked-out tooth, as this could affect reattachment later.
Depending on the injury, you can place the tooth back in the socket to increase the chances of saving it.
If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, keep it in a glass of warm water with some salt to prevent decay. If the dentist cannot reattach the tooth, they can affix a permanent dental implant.
Broken Tooth
Sometimes, you can chip or break a tooth if you bite down incorrectly on something hard. A chipped tooth can cause a lot of pain and expose the underlying dentin to bacteria and decay. If you experience a broken tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse the site and apply gauze to stop any bleeding.
After, use a cold compress to dull the pain and reduce any swelling. The dentist may have to attach a crown to save a tooth with a crack in it. Avoid hard foods and contact sports that could further damage your teeth when recovering.
Lost Crown
Missing or loose crowns are another potential dental emergency. Crowns can come loose from chewing on hard foods, and missing crowns expose underlying teeth layers to bacteria and tooth decay. Losing a crown greatly increases the chances of a tooth infection.
If you knock a crown loose, find the missing crown and store it in a plastic zip-loc bag. You can fill the hole in your tooth with some dental cement, but don’t try to reattach the crown yourself. When you schedule an appointment, your dentist will create and affix a new crown.
Abscess
Abscesses are painful infections near the root of your teeth or in your jawbone. These infections can result from tooth decay or deep cavities in your teeth. You can tell if you have an abscess by checking your gums for swelling and painful spots.
If you locate an abscess, contact an emergency dentist. They can help you drain it and address the underlying issue.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today!
Dr. Mark Civin has served the Palm Beach Gardens area for several years. Our team strives to offer top-of-the-line dental care for patients of all ages. If you are looking for an experienced emergency dentist, we should be your first choice!
If you want to know more about what are considered dental emergencies, contact us online or call (561) 624-2224 to schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist in Palm Beach Gardens!
