Dental problems can go from minor to major very quickly, leading to emergencies that need to be treated right away in order to prevent complications. Being aware of what some of the most common dental emergencies are will help you recognize them as soon as they happen to you or a loved one, and you can get the medical attention you need immediately by visiting a Salinas Emergency Dentist like Dr. Mark Washburn DDS. Continue reading to learn more.
1. A Chipped or Broken Tooth
If you accidentally end up breaking or chipping one of your teeth, you need to save the piece of tooth that came loose. Rinse the tooth, as well as your entire mouth, with warm water. If you experience any bleeding, applying some cotton or gauze to the affected area for about 5 to 10 minutes should help. After that, you can apply a cold compress on the outside of the mouth over the affected area and head to the dentist as the cold works on reducing swelling.
2. A Tooth Comes Totally Loose
In the event that one of your teeth gets knocked out of your mouth, you need to take appropriate steps to salvage that tooth. The important thing is to get to the dentist immediately, within the first hour after the tooth is knocked out. Use a small container of water with a bit of salt added to it in order to preserve the tooth until you get to the dentist.
3. A Cap or Crown Comes Loose
Some people who have had crowns or caps put onto their teeth during previous dental procedures may end up finding that those crowns and caps can eventually come loose. Although a crown that’s missing won’t trigger pain immediately, it could become quite painful if you don’t take care of it in a timely fashion, especially if you chew food that ends up getting into the exposed area. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait longer than two days to receive treatment.
4. A Filling Is Lost
Yet another dental emergency is when a filling is lost. In this case, you should rinse out the mouth, particularly the cavity, using warm water. Then use a cotton ball, pressing it into the cavity firmly. Head to the dentist as soon as possible.
5. A Severe Toothache
A severe toothache can be extremely painful, and it can be considered a dental emergency. Start by immediately rinsing out your mouth using warm water and placing a cold compress on your cheek for about 20 minutes. This should help reduce swelling. Once you remove the cold compress, allow the area to warm up again on its own or by placing a heat pack on the area. Then apply the cold compress again. Don’t apply pain medication on the gum, as that could further inflame it and potentially damage the tooth. Visit the dentist right away because untreated infections can result in serious issues.
These are just a few of the many types of dental emergencies that can occur. Knowing what to do is extremely important, as is knowing exactly what dentist to go to in the event of an emergency.
Mavian Arocha-Rowe
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