Richard WilsonWhether you’re in the middle of the night with tooth pain or your child gets hurt while playing sports, dental emergencies can ruin your day.
Thankfully, there are ways to handle these situations calmly and efficiently. Keep reading to learn what you should do in a dental emergency!
1. Call Your Dentist
Understanding What to Do in a Dental Emergency
You never know when something is going to go wrong with your mouth. An accident at work, a sports mishap or even a physical altercation could send you to the dentist in an emergency.
It is important to understand that some issues can wait a bit and be treated later on, while others should be addressed immediately.
Some of these issues can include cracking a tooth, a knocked out or fractured tooth, bleeding gums and facial swelling.
Other issues, such as a toothache or an abscess may also need prompt treatment to relieve pain and prevent further complications. Some dental emergencies are more serious than others and can be life-threatening if they are not treated quickly.
2. Floss
Flossing is important to your oral health. It removes plaque and bits of food that are trapped between your teeth, which is a major cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
Taking just a few minutes to floss your teeth daily is an investment in your oral health and will prevent serious dental problems down the road.
Flossing also helps your teeth stay cleaner longer and is more effective than brushing alone at removing plaque and food particles from in between your teeth. This is why your Cupertino dentist recommends flossing as part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
3. Rinse
Understanding What to Do in a Dental Emergency Be Prepared
The most common dental emergencies are fractured, cracked or chipped teeth; broken fillings or crowns; abscesses; knocked-out teeth; and painful or leaking infections in the mouth. If these issues are not treated quickly, they can result in costly treatments and long-term damage to the teeth, gums or entire mouth.
In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy, it is important to rinse them thoroughly when you are experiencing a dental emergency. This helps to clean the affected area and reduce swelling.
4. Apply a Cold Compress
When you have a dental emergency, you want to take care of it as quickly as possible. This can help protect your teeth from further damage and reduce the amount of pain that you experience.
The first thing that you should do is apply a cold compress to the area to relieve swelling and pain. This will help to prevent further damage and ensure that you can receive treatment at our office as soon as possible.
There are many types of cold compresses that you can use at home, including instant cold packs or gel packs. You can also use frozen salt water bags or a rice bag. These materials are easy to find and can be effective in providing both cold and heat therapy.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Understanding What to Do in a Dental Emergency
A Dentist Jacksonville FL | Cosmetic Dentistry | Emergency Dentist is any situation that requires immediate attention. This could include a severe toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or an abscessed tooth that needs immediate treatment to avoid further complications and pain.
Fortunately, most of these types of dental injuries and traumas can be treated right here at the dentist’s office. However, some situations are more serious than others and require the help of an emergency dentist.
The key to surviving these unexpected dental emergencies is to be prepared. By taking preventive steps such as brushing and flossing regularly, limiting brittle foods that damage your teeth, and wearing a mouth guard when participating in sports, you can reduce the likelihood of an injury occurring.
James Robert
