Dental emergencies need to be addressed as soon as possible to preserve teeth, alleviate pain and prevent infection. These include severe toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, a knocked-out tooth and more.
While it is impossible to avoid all dental emergencies, there are many ways to greatly reduce their risk. For example, brushing and flossing daily to remove harmful plaque and bacteria.
Knocked Out Tooth
Every year, more than 5 million adults and children experience a knocked-out tooth. This type of dental trauma is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate care. The good news is that a knocked-out emergency tooth extraction Dallas TX can often be saved.
The first step is to find the tooth and gently rinse it with water. Then, try to put it back in its socket. If that isn’t possible, place it in a glass of milk or an over-the-counter product that helps preserve teeth until you can get to the dentist.
Knocked out teeth that are not treated immediately begin to die, making them more difficult or impossible to re-implant. During your emergency visit, your dentist will create a splint to stabilize the tooth until it can heal. This treatment can help prevent other serious dental problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, it can also correct jaw misalignment caused by missing teeth. The procedure is painless and requires only local anesthesia.
Broken Braces
Brackets are metal squares that attach to your teeth to hold wires, and they help shift your teeth into a straighter position over time. Occasionally, a bracket may become loose or break off. While it’s not a dental emergency in the true sense of the word, it does cause discomfort and can slow down your orthodontic progress.
If a broken bracket is causing a significant amount of pain, try using over-the-counter pain relievers to ease the discomfort. Also, clean the area with a cloth or piece of gauze. Avoid attempting to fix the broken bracket yourself by removing it if it’s about to fall off or try sticking a piece of wax over it to prevent irritation.
If a broken wire is poking into your gums or cheeks, use a cotton swab to push the end of the archwire inward so it won’t cut or scrape the inside of your mouth. You should also try covering the end of the wire with a piece of gauze or dental wax to protect your mouth until you can schedule an appointment for a repair.
Toothache
Whether it is a minor pain or a sudden sharp one, any toothache is considered a dental emergency and should be attended immediately. This is because ignoring dental pain will only lead to more serious problems that might impact your overall health.
Tooth abscesses are another type of dental emergency that should be addressed promptly. These are caused when bacteria reach the center of a broken, cracked or chipped tooth and cause an infection that can be dangerous if it spreads to the bloodstream.
To treat this type of dental emergency, rinse the emergency tooth extraction Dallas TX gently with saline or salt water or, if you can’t replace it in its socket, put it in milk or in an emergency tooth preservation kit. You should also avoid spitting or using straws to prevent the bleeding from getting worse. Also, you should schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist Dallas TX as soon as possible. This will help you get the best treatment for your condition.
Infection
Infection in the mouth and teeth is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. If untreated, infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious complications. Infections may be caused by bacteria, a damaged tooth, or gum disease. Symptoms include pain, swelling, fever, and pockets of pus.
An emergency dentist can drain abscesses, prescribe antibiotics, and treat infected teeth with root canal therapy. They can also provide a splint to stabilize the loose tooth and reduce pressure on the infected area.
Infections can be prevented with regular oral hygiene, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash. It is also important to visit the dentist for regular cleanings and exams. In addition, avoiding sugary foods and drinks can help prevent tooth decay. A mouthguard can also protect the teeth from injuries. Preventive measures can significantly decrease the risk of dental emergencies. However, it is impossible to completely prevent dental emergencies.