Even if we are careful and try to keep our oral health in top condition, the truth is that dental emergencies can surprise us at any time.
While it is true that in some cases we can count on the early attention of an emergency dentist, in other cases it will not be possible.
Or at least not as quickly as we would like.
For this reason, it is essential to know how to act in the event of an oral emergency.
This knowledge can make the difference between, for example, losing or saving a tooth.
With this article, we want to provide you with the necessary knowledge so that you know what to do -depending on the emergency- until you go to the dentist.
What to do in case of dental emergency?
As we have already advanced at the beginning of this article, in case of suffering an accident that damages our mouth, the most appropriate thing to do is to go as soon as possible to an emergency dentist.
However, before that moment arrives, it may be highly advisable to carry out various measures aimed at alleviating pain, bleeding or any other symptom.
But, despite knowing these first aid measures, remember that going to a specialist quickly can greatly improve the prognosis of the situation.
Therefore, the faster you go to an emergency dentist and the better their care, the better the chances of successfully resolving the mishap.
If you have an emergency, go to the dentist
Enlarge image
SOLVING DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Dental emergencies and how to act
Here are 9 quick solutions for what to do when faced with some of the most common dental emergencies.
Keep in mind that these are first aid measures and guidelines, since most emergencies require a visit to a dental clinic.
1. Toothache
Toothache, and more specifically toothache, is usually associated almost immediately with the presence of caries.
Although this is the most common cause, the pain can also be due, for example, to an infection or the eruption of wisdom teeth.
What to do at home
Try to resort to certain home remedies for toothache, such as:
Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any debris.
Carefully floss your teeth to remove any pieces of food that may have gotten in between them.
If you have inflammation, place a cold compress on the area. Never apply aspirin to the tooth or gum.
Avoid eating very hot or cold foods.
Aftercare
To prevent the decay from progressing and affecting the internal structure of the tooth, see a dentist as soon as possible.
Once there, a filling (dental filling) will be made after cleaning the area.
If your toothache is caused by another reason, the dentist may prescribe certain medications to kill the infection.
Do not take medication on your own
Wait for your dentist to evaluate you and follow his or her instructions regarding care and medication intake.
2. Tooth fracture
Although it does not always happen, after receiving an impact on a tooth it may break partially.
This case not only affects your dental esthetics, especially if the fractured tooth is an incisor, but may have damaged its internal structure.
This is why it is a situation that requires an immediate visit to an emergency dentist.
Although the consequences are not visible at first sight, trauma can damage the nerve, causing the tooth to become calcified or necrotic.
What do I do if I break a tooth?
Gently clean the piece of tooth that has broken off.
Rinse the mouth with warm water to remove food debris or dirt, in cases where the injury was caused by chewing food or a blow.
Apply a cold compress to the face to combat inflammation.
Recover your dental esthetics
Once you go to the clinic, discuss with your dentist the different options for reconstructing the tooth.
However, if the professional determines that there has been damage to the dental pulp, it will be necessary to proceed with a root canal or root canal treatment.
Endodontics to save a tooth
Enlarge image
ENDODONTICS
3. Loss of a tooth
If you have received an excessively strong blow to the mouth, it is possible that one of your teeth may fall out (dental avulsion).
In this case, we recommend the following:
Try to remain calm and keep in mind that the first thing you should do is rinse the tooth gently with water.
Do not try to put it back into the hole in your gum, as you may swallow it unintentionally.
Gently press a gauze pad on the area to soothe the affliction and stop the bleeding.
Solutions if you have lost a tooth
This type of dental emergency cannot wait, so we advise you to go to a clinic or hospital as soon as possible, taking the tooth with you.
The less time the tooth is out of the mouth, the better the chances of saving it, but if it is not possible to reattach the tooth, other solutions will have to be considered.
To avoid the problems involved in losing a tooth, we recommend the placement of a dental crown on an implant.
In addition to what we can do for ourselves, it is very important to receive proper dental care as quickly as possible in the event of a dental emergency.
4. Loosening of a tooth
Another effect after receiving a blow can be the loosening of a tooth.
Even if it does not fall out or fracture, it is important to see a dentist immediately and follow his or her instructions regarding the care of the tooth.
In case you have a loose tooth, remember these tips:
Do not touch it with your fingers or the tip of your tongue to avoid further loosening.
Avoid clenching it with your teeth.
Once at the dentist, you will have a dental x-ray to check the condition of the root.
5. Dental abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that causes a painful accumulation of pus.
Depending on its location, it can be periapical (affecting the tooth root) or damage the gum.
If you notice that the area is oozing, rinse with water to clean it and apply cold to your cheek to reduce swelling.
However, never apply cold directly to the tooth or gum.
Go to your trusted dental clinic
Even if you stop feeling pain, go to the dentist to prevent the infection from progressing.
Follow the dentist’s instructions to eliminate the infection and prevent future complications.
Placing a dental crown
Enlarge image
PLACEMENT OF A PROSTHESIS
6. Biting on the tongue or lip
Accidentally biting a part of the mouth can be very painful and is one of the most common dental emergencies.
Moreover, it is an accident that occurs in many ways: playing sports, eating or even talking.
If the wound is very large, it may take a few minutes for the bleeding to stop.
To do this, apply pressure to the area of the bite with gauze and apply cold to relieve the pain.
If the bleeding does not stop, go to a medical center because you may need stitches.
If you practice sports, it is recommended that you wear a mouth guard for your teeth.
WE SOLVE YOUR DENTAL EMERGENCIES
7. Small object between the teeth
Feeling that there is a foreign body in the interdental spaces is very annoying and, in some cases, even painful.
Small seeds found in fruits or fish bones can get stuck in the mouth if we are not careful.
If we find ourselves in this situation, our recommendations are:
Try to remove the foreign body with dental floss carefully, so as not to cause damage to teeth or gums.
Do not use any sharp or cutting objects.
Generally, it is not necessary to go to the dentist urgently, but if we notice that the object exerts too much pressure and hurts us, it is advisable to go to a clinic.
Dental floss
Enlarge image
DENTAL THREAD
8. Wounds caused by orthodontics
If you wear braces, you probably know that it is necessary to go through a period of adaptation.
In these first days, it is very likely that your teeth will hurt due to the pressure of the appliance.
However, there are certain orthodontic emergencies that require immediate attention from your orthodontist:
If there is a part of your appliance that has fallen out or broken – whether it’s a bracket or any other fastener – try to retrieve it and take it to the dentist.
In case the end of the archwire causes irritation because it has moved, you can place a gauze to prevent it from entering the area until you go to the dentist’s office.
But if the wire has penetrated the gum, tongue or cheek, go immediately to the dentist’s office or hospital.
9. Broken jaw
A broken jaw is the result of a violent blow of any kind.
Although it is not common, a traffic accident or an impact in the chin area can cause the breakage of this bone.
It is important that you immobilize the jaw using a handkerchief and go urgently to a hospital.
A maxillofacial surgeon will be in charge of assessing you and proceeding with the necessary intervention.
How to avoid these accidents?
Now that you know what to do in case you have some of these dental emergencies, you will certainly be able to stay calm and act quickly.
Do not forget the importance of going to a dentist where they can assess the possible internal damage that is not visible to the naked eye.
So that you do not have to go through these situations, we recommend you to follow a series of indications:
Avoid eating very hard foods.
Do not use your teeth to cut or break things.
Wear a mouth guard when practicing sports or contact activities.
Use the seat belt in all your movements.
You may be interested in ” Dental avulsion: what is it and what is the most appropriate treatment?
At DrAW Dental Clinic we are guided by editorial guidelines that ensure the accuracy of all the information we publish. If you want to know more about how we ensure that our content is updated and properly supported, we encourage you to read our editorial commitment.
