Over the span of any given year, you may find yourself saying, ‘I have a dental emergency’ more than once. If you’ve ever had this experience, you understand how scary and painful it can be. Most of the time, people are not sure what makes a dental emergency, who they should contact, and how they can handle it best. We’ve compiled the answers to these questions to help.
Is Your Dental Emergency Urgent?
There are different types of dental emergencies. Some are very urgent, while there are also cases that can be treated at a later time. It’s essential to tell the two apart if you think you have a dental emergency, especially during nighttime or on the weekend. The most common dental emergencies include:
- Loose or knocked-out tooth
- Non-stop gum bleeding
- Painful toothache
- Swelling
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
A good dentist understands that time is of the essence in dental cases like these. They will never make you wait an unreasonable period before treatment during emergencies. When you or your child suspects that there is a dental emergency, remember to look for a dental office that is close to you. This will let you save more time when you need immediate attention. After all, you don’t want to end up driving too fast when you’re dealing with extreme cases since this will increase your risk of getting an accident, especially on a busy street.
On the other hand, non-urgent dental emergencies include:
- Lost crown, filling, or bridge
- Tooth chip
- Mild sensitivity
- Dull toothache
While you still need to notify your dentist and call for medical attention for these problems, you can wait a few days before treatment.
I Have a Dental Emergency, but I Don’t Know Who to Contact
The obvious person you need to contact when you encounter a dental emergency is your dentist. However, it is recommended to go straight to the emergency room in some cases. Remember that unbearable pain and bleeding needs immediate medical attention even if the dentist’s office is closed. If the pain is not excruciating, try to call your dentist to explain what you are feeling so they can guide you on what to do.
Most medical professionals will try to see you as soon as possible. But don’t worry if they can’t give you medical attention right away since you may feel as though your dental emergency is urgent even if it’s not.
I Have a Dental Emergency, but I Don’t Know What to Do at Home
Depending on what you are experiencing, there are things that you can do at home to ease your condition or remedy the pain. Regardless of the dental emergency, you have to stay calm. When you get stressed and anxious, your body triggers responses that will make the pain even worse.
Aside from this, you may also try dissolving salt into warm water and using it as a mouthwash to relieve swelling and irritation. A knocked-out tooth can also be placed in milk before you get the chance to see your dentist.
Preventing Dental Issues and Emergencies
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you may be curious about what you need to do in the future to prevent it from happening again. The ultimate way to protect yourself from dental emergencies is to see your dentist regularly for comprehensive tests and cleanings. If you don’t miss these appointments, you are less likely to suffer from something painful.
Splendid Dental Atascocita Can Help with Your Dental Emergency
Splendid Dental Atascocita understands how you feel when you worry that you have a dental emergency. Suspecting that you are in a difficult situation is never fun, but you have to be able to distinguish whether or not your emergency needs immediate attention. When you know how to handle a dental emergency, you can maintain your great smile. Call Splendid Dental Atascocita at 713-244-7790 for more information.
