Do You Know What to do in a Dental Emergency? Part One

A dental emergency requires instant action to avoid further complications and distress. Do you know what to do in a dental emergency?

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is an event that requires immediate action, usually when we are the most unprepared. In order to avoid complications, dental emergencies need to be attended to immediately.

It’s not that dental emergencies only happen in the middle of the night or when we have spare time on our hands and extra cash in our wallets. A dental emergency usually occurs when we least expect it, and we must take immediate action and focus on attending to and solving the situation. This could be extreme mouth pain that begins suddenly, or it could a sports injury.

Here are some common dental emergencies:

• A broken tooth
• A loose tooth
• A tooth that has been knocked out
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• Severe pain that does not go away with over-the-counter painkillers (like ibuprofen)
• An abscess in the mouth
• Inflamed gums
• Objects stuck in the mouth
• Wounds in the lip, tongue, or cheeks
• Acute pain, bleeding, or swelling after dental surgery (like root canals or wisdom teeth removal)
• Loss of fillings or crowns

Anything on this list constitutes an emergency, so you should feel comfortable giving us a call to discuss your options. If you are in mild pain, it’s likely that you do not need to make an emergency appointment but call us to schedule a time to come in when it’s convenient for you.

If any of these things happen, or if you experience sudden and extreme mouth pain, get help right away.

Here are some useful tips to prevent a dental emergency:

• First, use preventive measures like wearing a protective mouth guard while playing sports.
• Don’t chew on hard candies, ice, or popcorn kernels. These things are hard enough to crack a tooth!
• Never use your teeth or mouth to open packages, boxes, or bags. Always use scissors.
• Have a first aid kit on hand. In this kit you should include: a small container to store a tooth that has fallen out (or been knocked out), ibuprofen, cotton or gauze to stop bleeding and clean wounds, and antiseptic mouthwash. It’s also a good idea to keep temporary filling material (OTC at local pharmacies) in case a filling falls out.
• Prepare for an emergency. Knowing what to do in case of a dental emergency can save time and create a better outcome for you. Post emergency numbers on the fridge and have Danville Family Dental on speed dial.
• Seek help immediately. In case of major trauma to the mouth, you should seek immediate attention so that teeth can be fixed. In a dental emergency, taking fast action can make a huge difference in your oral health and your wallet. Additionally, it might help you avoid expensive oral surgeries in the future, and pain can be relieved almost immediately.

Schedule consultations and treatments whenever possible. If the situation is not an emergency, it is still a good idea to seek help. Call us today at 317-745-4400 to schedule an evaluation appointment so you can better organize your budget and your schedule, thus avoiding emergency situations.

Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.