Dental emergencies are common in people of all ages and can vary in severity depending on the particular issue. These types of emergencies are almost always painful and, in some cases, may cause extensive bleeding and swelling. Preventing further damage is essential and will require a visit to your emergency dentist.
When faced with issues such as broken teeth or intense tooth aches, locals opt for the emergency dental services that Mornington Peninsula dentists have on offer. Are you experiencing a dental issue? Not sure if it will go away on its own. This post takes a look at a few of the more common dental emergencies that you may need to seek help for.
Deal With Dental Emergencies Early
A dental emergency can consist of trauma to the mouth such as having your tooth knocked out in an accident, or it can be as sharp and painful as toothache with an abscess in the roots. Whatever your dental emergency is, it’s essential to seek prompt dental care. Here are a few dental emergencies you shouldn’t ignore.
- Knocked-Out Tooth
Many people are unaware that a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be reimplanted. With this in mind, if you or your child gets a tooth knocked out, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention to facilitate the reimplantation.
You will of course need the tooth. Gently rinse the tooth, but don’t scrub it or touch the root. Gently place it back in its socket if possible. However, if there is too much blood, or the area is to painful, you can rather opt to keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk. Speak to your emergency dentist for an emergency appointment.
- Damaged or Lost Dental Restoration
Dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, or even dental bridges can become dislodged or damaged. When this happens, you may experience discomfort and pain. If the issue isn’t dealt with urgently, you may develop additional complications.
Your dentist will assess the situation and either repair or replace the restoration. This will reduce further damage to the area. Speak to your dentist about habits that could prevent this from happening again. For instance, ditching hard food and candies may be a good place to start.
- Abscessed Tooth
Anyone who has ever had a dental abscess will tell you just how painful a tiny little spot of pus on your gum can be! Typically, this happens when a bacterial infection reaches the root of your tooth, which causes the pus to build up. This, in turn leads to severe pain and discomfort.
If left untreated, this can lead to a systemic infection. Your dentist may need to perform root canal therapy or even remove the tooth. Improving your oral hygiene habits will go a long way to preventing these issues in the first place.
- Soft Tissue Injuries
Accidents or trauma to the face can lead to soft tissue injuries of the mouth. This involves the gums, tongue, or cheeks and often causes pain, discomfort, and bleeding. If you can’t get the bleeding to stop on your own, or you can see that it’s not a minor cut, then it’s essential to seek immediate dental assistance. Your dentist will assess the issue and provide the necessary treatment to promote healing.
- Dental Infections
Another top dental issue that can lead to significant discomfort and pain is the various types of dental infections that can lead to severe swelling. Gum abscesses are the most common of these and can often lead to difficulty breathing and swallowing. If left untreated, this can lead to inflammation and bacteria spreading to the rest of your mouth.
Your dentist will assess your mouth to find the root cause of the abscess. Incorporating mouthwash into your daily oral routine may help to prevent these types of abscesses from appearing. An antibacterial mouthwash will prevent bacteria from getting into small cuts in your gums caused by hard foods or even a too-hard toothbrush.
- Severe Toothache
Most people don’t regard a mild toothache as reason enough to visit the dentist. These usually clear up and are often just treated with a hot compress and over-the-counter pain medications. If these don’t clear up the issue or the pain intensifies rather than diminishes, it could be a sign of an underlying issue. You could be looking at a cracked tooth or a dental abscess under the painful tooth.
Your dentist will provide you with antibiotics and pain killers to provide immediate pain relief. They will then assess your mouth and do an x-ray if necessary to determine the underlying cause. This will then be treated to prevent the issue from reoccurring.
Final Thoughts
Dental emergencies can happen without a moment’s notice, cause extensive pain and discomfort and disrupt your oral health. Learn to recognize the signs of when you’re having a dental emergency and reach out to your dental specialist.
Whether you have a toothache that won’t let up or a dental implant that seems loose, having your dental emergency taken care of as soon as possible will ensure that you minimise any potential long-term dental damage!
