Emergency Dentistry: All Questions Answered?
Similar to medical emergencies, dental injuries require immediate treatment to prevent any premature tooth loss. Remember, when you lose your permanent teeth, they will not grow back. Furthermore, loss of teeth weakens your dental structure. Having an emergency dentist near you will come in handy when a dental emergency occurs.
What is a Dental Emergency?
We regard dental emergencies as any injury that affects the teeth, gums, soft tissues and dental restorations. When your dental restorations such as bridges and veneers get damaged, you need immediate dental treatment to protect the teeth underneath.
When Should You Visit an Emergency Dentist?
Not all dental injuries qualify as an emergency and therefore, they don’t need immediate medical attention. For example, if you have lost a crown or a filling, you can use a temporary filling until your next dental appointment. Dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-out teeth
- Cracked and chipped teeth
- Abscessed teeth
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injured jaw
- Intense in your jaw and gums
These injuries can cause immense pain and you will need immediate care.
What to Expect at Your Emergency Dental Visit?
At Spring Dental Arts, our primary goal is to ease pain and make sure you are comfortable. Our dental team is trained and equipped to handle all dental situations.
Upon arriving at our dental clinic, we will gather information on your medical and dental history (if it’s your first time at the clinic, it is vital to come with your medical record). Next, we will perform a dental examination and assessment including digital imaging with x-rays. This will help us assess the extent of your emergency and develop a suitable dental treatment plan.
What to Do During a Dental Emergency?
Some dental emergencies are more serious than others and your response after the injury happens will have an impact on the outcome. When an injury occurs, don’t panic, stay calm and call for support.
If the tooth has been knocked out, your chances of saving the teeth decrease within the first hour, so be fast in performing the first aid. The primary goal of first aid is to reduce the chances of losing your teeth. Hold the tooth by the crown and try to fix it back to the root. Don’t dislodge the tooth, only our dentist can be able to determine if the tooth can be saved or not. Next, rinse the tooth in water and don’t rub the gum or use chemicals to clean it. Applying a cold compression can work great in reducing the swelling and discomfort. Keep the teeth moist to prevent discomfort.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Although dental injuries can occur without warning and may be impossible to prevent them at times, you can reduce your risk using these tips:
- Follow good oral hygiene to prevent plaques from accumulating. Plaques, if not cleaned properly can lead to bacterial growth which causes decay and the teeth to weaken.
- Have regular fluoride treatment. Our enamel is strong, but due to various factors, it could get weak and prone to cracks and chips. Fluoride treatments can help strengthen the teeth and reverse mild decay.
- Wear mouthguards especially when playing high-impact sports. Furthermore, you need mouthguards if you have bruxism to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching
- Get regular dental checkups. This will help the dentist to detect any dental problems early and treat them on time.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools when opening bottles. Also, don’t chew hard foods.
- Never ignore pain or sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity is a sign of a dental cavity and should not be ignored especially if it lasts for more than a week.
Final Thoughts
Although dental injuries are emergencies, they shouldn’t be treated as a medical emergency unless there is an immediate threat to your health, so don’t call 911. Instead, call our dentist or visit a dentist near you for an assessment.
Keep in mind some dental problems don’t cause pain such as loosening of the dental restorations, and it can be hard to know if it’s an emergency or not. You should, therefore, dental emergency in Spring, TX if you are unsure of the severity of the dental injury.