Dental emergencies are very common in the medical world and early intervention is needed in order to correct it and alleviate any pain that may be present. As a patient experiencing the 5 most common dental emergencies, it is highly advisable not to panic.
First aid is one of the early intervention method that can alleviate pain before rushing to a dentist’s office. This helps to prevent infections from common agents like bacteria among others.
Here are 5 common dental emergencies and how you can deal with them.
Toothache
A toothache is one of the dental emergencies that patients get to experience whether at home, at the office or even when on vacation. It may have been caused by different factors such as tooth decay, tooth fracture, damaged filling and infected gums among others things.
One of the main symptoms that occur when having a toothache is pain. The pain may range from mild to severe in some cases. Other symptoms include swelling around the tooth and the gums. If you have even slight toothaches, it can be a sign of a much larger problem. Be sure to get in touch with a dentist like Lifetime Smiles immediately.
Semi dislodged tooth
Injuries are common and may lead to the partial dislodging of the tooth. Accidents while playing in your favorite game or when riding your bike or when driving may lead to the partial dislodging of a tooth. In other cases, dentists usually refer to them as extruded teeth.
The best news is that the partially dislodged tooth can be corrected, as long as it’s root and the blood vessels are still attached. The first thing you need to do is to leave the tooth in place and then take a pain killer to relieve the pain as you head to the dentist.
Abscess
Abscesses are often require urgent treatment when they occur. They are painful and can lead to infection in other parts of the body. They occur when food particles get trapped between the teeth and bacterial action leads to production of acid that leads to swelling filled with pus.
In case you experience an abscess, for temporary relief, you can rinse your mouth with a mild salt water solution. You need to mix a ½ tablespoon of salt in 8 ounces of water. This will help to relieve the pressure while drawing the pus from the affected area. Contact an experienced dentist immediately.
Knocked Out Teeth
Knocked out teeth are considered to be a serious dental emergency, but the good news is that they can be fixed. Sporting accidents are some of the factors that lead to knocked out teeth. After an accident, it is vital to keep your mouth clean and moist.
The next thing you need to do is take the knocked out teeth and place them in a clean container. It is vital not to tamper or remove the tissues fragments that are left from the area where the teeth have been knocked out.
After you have performed a simple mouth wash rinse with mild salt solution and taken a painkiller, it is important to visit the dentist’s office. This should be done quickly, so that you may have a high chance of having the knocked out teeth placed back in their original place.
Dislocated or Broken Jaw
Having a dislocated or broken jaw is one of the most common injuries that befall individuals who are involved in sporting accidents, car accidents or work-related accidents. The strong force directed to the jaw will lead to it being dislocated or fractured.
It is highly critical for an individual to seek immediate medical treatment at a dentist’s office, since a specialized treatment procedure is required. If treatment is not administered immediately, it will affect how an individual eats, drinks, breathes or speaks.
For any questions or dental emergencies you may experience, call Lifetime Smiles at (760) 747-1811.
