A dental emergency can occur anytime. Even if you take proper care of your teeth and mouth, you may require immediate dental attention due to some uncertain situation. In this blog, you will get to know about various dental emergencies and ways to deal with a dental emergency. We will also talk about the most common dental emergency which is a chipped tooth and the dental bonding procedure to treat such emergency dental issues.
A dental emergency can be any dental problem that requires immediate treatment to:
- Alleviate severe pain
- Stop bleeding
- Restore a broken tooth
- Address a traumatic tooth injury
- Address a concern with treatment that may be in progress
How to determine it’s a dental emergency?
As mentioned above dental emergencies require immediate treatment. Still, if you are confused about what situation should be considered a dental emergency then consider these points:
- Are you feeling severe pain? Severe pain and bleeding are the signs of a dental emergency.
- Have you lost your tooth accidentally? Immediate treatment can help save your tooth.
- Do you have loose teeth? If you have a loose tooth, even without pain, it can be a serious issue that requires immediate treatment.
- Do you have an infection in your mouth? If you have an abscess or serious infection in your mouth, it can be a possibly life-threatening issue that must be addressed immediately.
- Are you experiencing bleeding from the mouth? Bleeding is also a potential sign of an emergency.
If you notice any of these signs, consider this a dental emergency and reach your dentist as soon as possible for the best possible treatment.
What are the most common types of dental emergencies?
Well, the most common dental emergency is a broken tooth. Many patients come with a tooth that has fractured either due to trauma or because of weakness from a previous root canal or a large filling. Broken tooth emergencies can be major or minor such as a chipped front tooth. Other dental emergencies can be:
Severe toothache:
Toothaches should not be taken lightly. They are a sign that something is wrong in your mouth. If you notice a sudden and unexplainable toothache, get in touch with your dental service provider immediately to help diagnose and treat the issue before it worsens.
Swollen or bleeding gums:
Occasional gum irritation is quite normal. However, if you are experiencing continuous bleeding in your gums followed by pain and swelling, it may be an indication of an underlying dental or health issue. See your dentist immediately to find out the root cause and get the potential treatment.
Swelling in jaw or mouth:
If your mouth or jaw suddenly becomes swollen for some unknown reason, it’s a sign of an emergency. Swelling can happen as a result of an infection in the mouth, irritation to your lymph nodes, and various other serious reasons.
Exposed nerves:
Exposed nerves can be a very painful experience that can get even worse if timely treatment is not taken. It is best to seek a dentist immediately to prevent the chances of further nerve damage, infections, or a more extensive dental treatment.
Missing filling:
Missing filling is another common dental emergency that requires immediate addressing. A missing filling can weaken your tooth and increase the chances of breaking or chipping a tooth. It may even expose the tooth’s nerves which can further lead to other serious dental and health issues.
Broken crown:
If a dental crown breaks or falls off completely, it may leave your tooth exposed and susceptible to dental infections and damage. Schedule an emergency dental visit to get your crown replaced immediately to prevent the need for other dental procedures like root canal and tooth extraction.
Abscessed tooth:
An abscessed tooth can be a life-threatening condition that needs immediate treatment. This is a condition in which a pocket of pus in the tooth leads to an infection. Common signs of a tooth abscess include fever, tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, tender lymph nodes in your neck, swelling in the face, continuous toothache, or a small bump on the gums near the infected tooth.
Lost tooth:
If you lose your tooth out of your mouth due to a heavy impact, you must get immediate treatment to restore your tooth. Immediate dental attention can help to reinsert or preserve your tooth.
What to do if you have a dental emergency?
In case of a dental emergency, first and foremost, you must reach out to your dental service provider and explain your symptoms. Your dentist will advise you on the best next step to take after listening to your symptoms. In the case of a traumatic event that results in tooth avulsion in which a tooth comes out of the socket, you must seek dental treatment immediately, if possible within 30 to 60 minutes to increase the chances of saving the tooth. To prevent the tooth from drying out and to maintain its sustainability, your tooth must be placed in milk.
How a chipped tooth is restored?
Many dental service providers offer around-the-clock dental care services to help their patients deal with any dental emergency effectively. In case of a chipped tooth, it is important to connect with your dentist immediately. Follow all their instructions and reach out to them for further treatment. A chipped tooth is usually restored with the help of a dental bonding procedure. Your dentist may either use resin bonding or porcelain bonding based on the condition of your mouth to restore the tooth. Both resin and porcelain bonding are esthetic treatment options used to restore a tooth to its natural appearance.
Bonding is perhaps the best, most cost-effective, and highly efficient treatment option for restoring a chipped tooth that is less severe. If someone is facing a major tooth fracture, a porcelain restoration method is mostly used to provide strength to the remaining tooth structure.
The need for a dental implant
If a tooth cannot be restored, the dentist may suggest a dental implant procedure. Conditions that would require a dental implant include:
- A root fracture
- Major tooth fracture
- Advanced periodontal disease, or
- Deep decay below the gum line
After getting an emergency dental treatment, you must follow all the instructions given by your dentist carefully to avoid any potential risks like dry socket or infection.
Conclusion:
Though dental emergencies can happen anytime, it is advisable to stay proactive in your oral hygiene routine to prevent the chances of various dental emergencies. Besides, following a good oral hygiene routine, it is important to get routine dental check-ups with your dentist. Routine check-ups can help to detect a dental issue at the earliest and with the help of the right treatment, your dentist can help to prevent an emergency situation.
Author bio
Isha Mathur is a Professional Content Writer at TruCare Dentistry. Isha holds spectacular skills in the field of Dentistry for 4 years. Isha also provides comprehensive dental care services including cosmetic and Implant dentistry to restore a beautiful and healthy smile with the help of most advanced technologies such as CT scan, digital scanner, Cerec in office crown milling machine. You can Contact her on Facebook.