There are many different reasons as to why you may have a dental emergency. It could be as a result of a physical accident or a problem that has resulted from a lack of care and maintenance of your teeth and gums. Whatever the case, it is important to visit a dental clinic and see dentists as soon as possible in order to have the problem effectively and efficiently dealt with. There is no point risking a potential infection or permanent damage by not going immediately.
Here are some of the most common dental emergencies, as well as advice on what to do if you have one of these problems.
Toothaches
It might start off as a small and inconsequential ache, but it may worsen and develop into a serious problem. When it first begins to hurt, you should rinse the aching tooth with warm, salty water as this will provide some temporary relief. There may be trapped food particles in and around the tooth which could be causing the problems. Therefore, carefully floss around it in order to dislodge any foreign particles. Try some mild painkillers to see if this helps with the inflammation. If none of these solutions work, you should go and see a dentist, as the problem may result in cavities or loose teeth if the problem is not addressed.
Broken Tooth
If a tooth has already been previously weakened as a result of having a filling, it will be more susceptible to being chipped, cracked or broken. This is extremely painful, so you should take some painkillers and go to see your dentist immediately. On the way, you should try to place something cold on your face on the side of the broken tooth in order to decrease the amount of swelling in the area as possible.
Knocked out tooth
Having a tooth knocked out can happen during sports or simply if you trip and hit your mouth against a hard surface. Getting to the dental clinic as quickly as possible is absolutely vital in order to save the tooth.
Rinse the tooth very gently and make sure that you don't handle it by the root as this can damage it. Never take anything off the tooth such as tissues from your gum. Try to put the tooth back into its socket or just keep it in your mouth as saliva helps to preserve it. If you cannot do this or if it is a young child who may accidentally swallow it, place it in a glass of milk and bring it with you to the dentist.
Share20 November 2015
Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Kerry, and this blog is focused on dental fillings. It looks at the history of fillings, options for contemporary fillings, how to protect your fillings, when to replace them and much more. If you have ever had a cavity filled or if you are planning to get a tooth filled, you will find the information in this blog useful. I try to look at fillings from all angles, and I even plan to look at how to avoid fillings through proper dental hygiene and sealants. Thanks for reading, and I hope you find the info intellectually "filling."