If someone breaks a bone, it is customary to take them to an emergency room or other medical facility for immediate attention. When a tooth is hurt though, people rarely know what to do. Here is a guide to dental emergencies; what they are and what you should do.
What is Considered an Emergency?
The most basic definition for a dental emergency is when immediate attention is required to save a tooth. This is not limited to the tooth structure and includes the gum tissue and other areas in and around the mouth. Consider some of these signs:
· Teeth that are loose, misaligned, or knocked out after an impact
· Severe bleeding in the mouth
· Trauma to the face or mouth
· Cracked or fractured teeth
· Severe pain that prevents biting or talking
· Bulges, swelling, or knots on the gum tissue
· Swelling in the mouth or face
Many of these cases require immediate help to alleviate pain or to save the tooth altogether. Dentists like to see the patient as soon as possible to do necessary surgeries or procedures.
What to Do in an Emergency
Dentists always want to be called as soon as possible when an emergency happens. If the accident or pain hits outside of regular office hours, still call the office. Almost every dental office has an emergency number to call and will leave it on the after-hours recorded message. If your dentist is out of town, they probably have arranged with another dentist in the area to handle emergency cases.
There is more to do besides calling the dentist. Here are steps recommended for the most common dental emergencies.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Baby teeth being knocked out are not always an emergency, but if the tooth is too young to lose or it is a permanent tooth knocked out minutes matter. Gently handle the tooth, being careful not to touch the root. Gently rinse and clean the tooth without scrubbing to remove dirt and bacteria from the ground. If possible, put the tooth back in the gums and hold it until you can get into the dentist. If not, put it in milk to keep the roots from drying out.
Tooth Knocked Loose or Out of Place
Apply pressure to the tooth with your finger, pushing it back in to place. If possible, bite down to keep it from moving, but don't try to force anything. The dentist will do an examination to determine if it needs further attention.
Cracked, Chipped, or Fractured Teeth
Teeth that are broken in any way can have damage on the inside as well as the outside. It is important to rinse your mouth out with warm water to clean out any broken bits. If necessary, take some pain medicine to prevent any discomfort, but choose acetaminophen over aspirin or ibuprofen. Don't apply numbing cream or anything topical to the gums as it can cause more irritation to the area. You can use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help reduce swelling and pain.
Tissue Damage and Facial Pain
Injuries inside the mouth that include tears, punctures, or cuts to any part of the gum tissue, you need to be seen by your dentist. Rinse with warm water and push gauze to the area to stop bleeding. Infection is the biggest risk and certain injuries require immediate attention from an oral surgeon.
If the face is swollen and causing pain, choose acetaminophen over aspirin or ibuprofen to limit excessive bleeding risks. This is also a major sign of an abscess, so seeing your dentist for a prescription or root canal is vital.
Other Emergencies
If you feel like you are having a dental emergency and you don't feel like you fit into one of the previously mentioned categories, call your dentist. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to preserving the health of your mouth.