When we’re in a dental emergency, the first thing most of us do is panic. While there is no sure way to answer “How to avoid a dental emergency?”, knowing what to do when you’re in one can be a game-changer. Getting in touch with your dentist in case of a dental emergency is always a priority. But how do you know what counts as one?
Here’s a quick read to have your queries answered:
Dental Emergencies and How to Deal with Them
Dental emergencies come unannounced. But knowing how to deal with them might just help you save your tooth and alleviate pain. Here are a few common instances that can be counted as a dental emergency:
Dealing with a knocked-out tooth
Believe it or not, a knocked-out tooth can be saved and re-implanted if you follow the right protocol. If you’re ever in an accident where your tooth has been knocked out, make sure you rinse the tooth with some water and gently place it back into the socket it fell out of. If you cannot place it back in, fill a cup with milk and place the tooth in it. You can use a cold compress to reduce any pain or swelling that causes discomfort while you get in touch with your nearest emergency dentist in Cranbourne. In all of this, make sure you only handle the tooth by the crown and not the root.
In case the tooth breaks into pieces, try to gather all of the pieces together and head to your dentist for an urgent treatment to restore the tooth. A restorative dentistry expert will help re-implant your tooth and minimise the pain through treatment and medication.
Dealing with an injury or pain
Injuries to the mouth often cause lacerations in the tissue, leading to a dental emergency. In case of pain or tissue injury, make sure you clean the area gently with warm water and add pressure to the wound using some gauze. If the bleeding is on your tongue, use the gauze to keep the bleeding to a minimum and take some painkillers to keep the pain at bay.
While you’re managing the injury, make sure you head to your family dentist immediately to keep the injury from turning into a serious dental emergency.
Dealing with inflammation or abscess
Preventive dental care keeps a number of dental problems like gum inflammation and abscesses at bay. However, bacteria, food lodging, tooth decay and dental trauma can result in an infection that is painful. Until you’re able to visit the dentist, you can minimise the pain and discomfort with a saltwater rinse or cold compress. Consuming cold foods can also help alleviate the pain. Your dentist will drain the abscess or infection, if any, and provide treatment to deal with the root issue. You will also be prescribed pain medications until the affected area heals.
Crucial Tips to Follow During a Dental Emergency
While we’ve covered how to deal with a dental emergency, here are crucial tips that you definitely need to follow:
- Don’t delay your visit to the dentist if there is a dental emergency.
- Don’t try to remove lodged bits from between your teeth using sharp tools or objects.
- In case of a knocked-out or loose tooth, avoid forcefully placing it back into the socket.
- If there is persistent pain, follow through with an immediate appointment with the dentist.
- Don’t rely on home remedies to treat your toothache and dental issues.
Once you’re with your emergency dentist in Cranbourne, you can have your dental problems dealt with for a more permanent solution.
No matter what the circumstance, getting to a dental clinic should always be a priority when you are dealing with an excruciating tooth or gum ache or have suffered trauma to the mouth. With a professional to help you, the effects of the dental emergency can be kept in check and minimised over time to ensure complete healing and recovery.
