Examples of Dental Emergencies and What to Do Next

Do you know what constitutes a dental emergency? Not many do, so you need to step up if you are one of them. It’s vital to have a good grasp of when to visit your dentist immediately or wait to do it later. 

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

This is any dental problem that requires immediate treatment. Just because you have a dental issue does not necessarily mean that you need immediate care. For example, if you have a chipped tooth, you can wait a few days before having it fixed. 

Of course, if it is causing you too much discomfort or pain, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. On the other hand, if you lose a tooth, you have a short window to save it. Delaying treatment will reduce your options for restoring the tooth. Virtually any dental pain or issue that preoccupies you is a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies

Some of the dental issues that require emergency care include:

Toothache

Dental pain is never a good sign. Toothache can indicate several problems, such as tooth decay. While it is possible to manage some toothaches without emergency care, certain signs like excessive swelling require urgent treatment. 

If you are experiencing a toothache, avoid using common remedies such as taking painkillers. That is because they can burn the tissue of the affected gums. Instead, you should apply a cold compress to your cheek and visit your dentist as soon as possible. 

Broken or Chipped Teeth

A broken or chipped tooth can ruin your smile, in addition to causing severe pain. If you suffer a chipped or broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. Next, apply gauze to the site of the chipped tooth to stem bleeding. Apply a cold compress to the affected side of your face to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Finally, visit your dentist for emergency dental care.

Lost Crown or Filling

Fillings and crowns help restore damaged teeth to their optimal function and appearance. When you lose a crown or filling, you need to visit your dentist right away to prevent reinfection or further damage. 

Abscess

Infections in your mouth are a problem. This is especially so for infection in the space between the gums and teeth or near the root of your tooth. Left unaddressed, they can spread to surrounding gum tissue and teeth or even to the rest of your body. To preserve your oral health, seek immediate dental treatment.

Broken Orthodontics

Braces can withstand daily wear and tear from eating, chewing, and even talking. However, they can still stick out or break and poke your gums and cheeks. This can cause discomfort and pain, which can reverse or slow down progress in straightening and aligning teeth. 

When this happens, try pushing your braces into a more comfortable position. If you are unable to do so, cover the exposed end of your braces with a small cotton ball, orthodontic wax, or a piece of gauze. Do not cut the metal wire to prevent swallowing. Visit your dentist as soon as possible. 

Bleeding Following a Tooth Extraction

It is normal to experience some post-op bleeding and pain. But if this problem persists, you should call your dentist. Before your appointment, place a gauze pad over the affected area and apply pressure by biting down on the gauze. Also, you should avoid eating, drinking, rinsing, smoking, spitting, and sucking.

For more on dental emergencies, call Cal Oaks Dental at (951) 501-4900 to reach our office in Murrieta, California.