Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them
What is a dental emergency? A dental emergency can impact anyone of any age, and includes any dental problem that requires immediate treatment. It is important to know which dental issues require attention right away versus those where you can have room to wait.
Putting off dental emergencies can be life threatening. They can cause severe pain and result in health issues beyond the oral cavity. This article will give complete information about Common Dental Emergency and What to do.
Greater than 2 million dental-related emergency department visits were reported in 2018.
What is a Dental Emergency?
What is a dental emergency? We have the answer for you. Keep reading to learn more about what constitutes a dental emergency.
Sadly, dental emergencies are quite common. Dental emergencies include any dental issue that needs to be treated immediately to help protect your health. For example, dental problems that result in severe pain and bleeding, tooth loss, or oral infection are common dental emergencies. Luckily, there are plenty of emergency dental services available.
Where to go for a Dental Emergency?
Wondering where to go for dental emergency? Continue reading to find out where dental emergencies can be managed.
Many dental emergencies can be treated in a general dental office. If a dental emergency occurs after regular business hours and your dental office does not offer extended hours for emergency services, an emergency room can be visited to handle the situation. An emergency room may also be recommended for severe injuries, such as a broken jaw.
Types of Dental Emergencies
There are many different types of dental emergencies that can occur. In this section we will discuss common dental emergency examples.
Toothache
Toothaches can feel awful. Oral pain typically indicates that there is an issue occurring that requires quick evaluation. Toothaches are commonly caused by tooth decay and oral infection. In some cases, toothaches require urgent medical attention, such as when it is accompanied by oral or facial swelling.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
Circumstances such as an accident or extensive dental decay can result in chipped or broken teeth. This can lead to pain, and can even promote oral bacterial infection in the exposed tooth. A chipped or broken tooth should be looked at as soon as possible by your dental professional or an emergency provider.
Knocked-out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth also requires immediate attention. In some cases, adult teeth can be reimplanted into the mouth if taken to a dental professional within the hour. If your tooth is knocked-out, avoid touching the tooth’s root and try placing it back into the socket or into milk while heading to your dentist.
Lost Filling or Crown
Crowns and fillings can become dislodged for a variety of reasons. If this occurs, seek dental care immediately to avoid further damage or infection. Teeth require a proper seal and support to prevent oral bacteria and to protect against the natural forces from chewing.
Bleeding or Swollen Gum
Bleeding or swollen gums can indicate the presence of an underlying issue. In the case of mild gum bleeding and swelling, it is typically not considered a dental emergency. However, gums that won’t stop bleeding, or persistent oral swelling and pain is urgent and requires immediate treatment.
Tooth Sensitivity
Teeth may become sensitive to heat, cold, or certain foods. There can be many causes of tooth sensitivity, including gum disease, fractured teeth, exposed tooth roots, and tooth decay. No matter the cause, tooth sensitivity should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent tooth loss and other health problems.
Jaw Injury
Injury to the jaws requires an immediate emergency visit. A jaw injury may be accompanied with oral and facial pain, swelling, and trouble breathing, speaking, chewing, or opening the mouth.
Swollen Jaw or Mouth
A swollen jaw or mouth can be a life-threatening situation. This can be a sign of an infection that requires immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injury
Soft-tissue injuries can damage your mouth and lead to excessive oral bleeding. If bleeding does not seem to stop, or the injury appears extensive, it is important to seek emergency care immediately.
Infections
Dental infections are not only uncomfortable, but also can have a critical impact on your health. Dental infections can become progressively worse overtime, and potentially become life-threatening if left untreated. It is important to seek professional help immediately if you believe that you have a dental infection.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess is an oral infection that contains a collection of bacterial pus. They typically resemble a pimple and are accompanied by oral swelling. If left untreated, the bacteria associated with the abscess can spread to other areas of the body and lead to life-threatening health complications.
Mouth Sores
From time to time, an occasional mouth sore can be common. Mouth sores are often treated with topical pain relievers and saltwater rinses, or without treatment at all. Yet, mouth sores that do not heal after two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, as this could be an indication of serious underlying health issues.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Dental Emergency
There are several steps for you to take following a dental emergency. Being prepared for a dental emergency can help you tackle any situation more easily.
Stay Calm
One of the best ways to get through a dental emergency is to start by remaining calm. A calm attitude can help you efficiently tackle next steps to mitigate the situation.
Assess the Situation
Next, take a careful look at the injury or the impacted area. If you believe the situation calls for immediate attention, seek help right away. If you are unsure whether or not the situation is severe, it is safest to contact a medical professional immediately.
Rinse the Mouth
Rinsing your mouth can help clean the area. It is recommended to swish and expectorate 1 cup of lukewarm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of salt.
Control Bleeding
If any bleeding is present, try to stop the bleeding. Apply gentle pressure to the affected area using a sterile piece of gauze.
Manage Swelling
To keep the swelling down, apply a cold compress near the affected area. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Retrieve and Store Lost Teeth or Dental Pieces
If your tooth is knocked-out, try to retrieve the tooth. Avoid touching the tooth’s root. If possible, do your best to place the tooth back into its’ socket, or you can also put the tooth into a small container of milk while getting to your dentist as quickly as you can.
Contact a Dentist
Contacting a dentist immediately is a crucial step in all dental emergencies. If unable to reach a dentist in an emergency, seek medical attention at an urgent care.
Importance of Immediate Action in Dental Emergencies
Immediate action is of utmost importance when experiencing a dental emergency. In this section we will discuss all of the benefits of being prompt if you are in a dental emergency.
Dental emergencies can be painful, and the sooner you are out of pain, the better. Immediate emergency dental care will address your dental pain and restore your health.
- Preventing Further Damage
Immediate treatment can prevent problems from worsening. Dental emergencies that are not treated right away, such as infections or tooth cracks, can spread and cause further damage. - Infection Control
Dental emergencies can often result in bacterial infection. Emergency dentistry can help manage infections and prevent their spread, which in severe cases can be life-threatening. - Minimizing Discomfort
Emergency dental services will treat the cause of your dental pain. The sooner your dental emergency is addressed, the quicker your discomfort can be alleviated. - Better Outcomes
Immediate treatment can help you maintain your teeth. When dental problems are not addressed right away, you have a greater risk of permanent oral damage occurring, such as tooth loss. - Preventing Complications
Treating dental emergencies right away will help prevent complications. Your dental professional will diagnose any issues and provide appropriate treatment. - Reducing Anxiety
Tackling a dental emergency right away can help ease anxiety you have about your situation. You will be able to rest assured that your dental emergency is being managed by experts.
Understanding Payment Procedures for Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can be paid with or without dental insurance. Here’s what you need to know regarding payment procedures for dental emergencies.
Dental Emergency with Insurance
Emergency dental insurance can be used to help cover the cost of your dental emergency. Read more to learn about covering dental emergencies with insurance.
Depending on your insurance benefits, your emergency visit may be covered. Many dental insurance plans include some coverage of emergency dental services. You may still be required to pay a co-payment or deductible. Your dental professional will determine what treatment is necessary and will discuss the accompanying fees.
Dental Emergency without Insurance
Emergency dental without insurance is another option to cover dental emergency expenses. Read more to discover ways to cover dental emergencies without insurance.
If you don’t have dental insurance, there are still several of options to help pay for emergency treatment. Some practices offer dental savings plans to help reduce costs of emergency services. Other methods such as CareCredit, which offers low and no-interest loans for dental care may be available. In addition, your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) may be used to cover costs.
How to Prevent Dental Emergency?
There are many simple ways to prevent a dental emergency. Implement these practices to help lower your risk.
- Wear a Mouthguard
Mouthguards can help protect your mouth from injury. Mouthguards and other protective gear should be worn during any activity involving potential risk to your face and mouth, such as contact sports. - Be Mindful of Your Diet
Diet plays an important role in both oral and overall health. Limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages, which can weaken teeth and promote harmful bacterial accumulation. - Stop Using Teeth as a Tool
Bad oral habits can damage your teeth. Avoid using your teeth as tools, such as biting your nails, chewing on inedible objects, and opening items you’re your teeth. - Be Cautious with Hard Foods
Chewing hard foods can damage tooth enamel. Be cautious when consuming hard foods such as nuts, hard breads, and popcorn for instance. - Prevent Teeth Grinding
Avoiding teeth grinding is essential in helping to prevent dental emergencies like cracked or broken teeth. To prevent teeth grinding, use a protective mouthguard, limit caffeine, manage stress, and seek professional guidance from your dental professional. - Maintain a Proper Oral Hygiene Routine
Proper oral hygiene is essential for your overall health. Daily brushing and flossing are necessary to reduce harmful oral bacteria that can cause dental emergencies. - Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting your dentist regularly will help lower your risk of having problems occur. Dental professionals will spot issues early on and address them before they worsen.
Providing Quality Dental Care: Great Lakes Family Dental
Looking for quality emergency dental care? Here’s why Great Lakes Family Dental should be your first choice for all of your dental needs.
Great Lakes Family Dental offers quality emergency dental services whenever you and your family are in need. Our experienced dental professionals provide top-notch care and treatment. No matter the dental emergency, give us a call so that we can help your smile get back to normal.
Conclusion
Knowing what is a dental emergency is valuable knowledge that can help you be prepared for any situation. Dental emergencies should be handled immediately to prevent serious complications. This includes serious dental problems such as oral infections, chronic oral pain, persistent oral bleeding, facial swelling, and more. Emergency dentists at Great Lakes Family Dental will provide you with excellent care when you face any dental emergency.
