Do you have no idea how to deal with a sudden toothache? If you have a dental emergency, learning dental care basics might help you feel better. It might not be easy to deal with your concerns on your own at times. Therefore, it is important to know how to avoid a dental emergency based on your situation before it gets worse.
Before seeking assistance from a dentist, determine if your issue requires immediate treatment or not. If a dentist is unavailable to visit you after hours but you still require medical treatment, you must know what to do to avoid complications. If you want to know how to handle dental emergencies, you can continue reading this blog post for more information.
Reasons Why You Would Need an Emergency Dentist
It’s best to go to the dentist as soon as possible if you’re having a dental emergency. If your teeth or gums are hurting you with severe discomfort that won’t go away after a few days of rest, there may be a problem that must be addressed immediately.
You don’t have to keep putting up with the discomfort or wait for it to go away. Waiting too long might lead to more serious dental issues in the future, so take care of your teeth now to avoid problems afterwards.
Here are some reasons why you might need an emergency dentist:
Broken or Knocked-Out Tooth
When a tooth is severely broken or knocked out, the pain might be so severe that you can’t talk or eat normally. People who don’t get help as soon as possible could lose their teeth for good. If they wait too long to get help, the treatment could become more invasive, which could cost a lot of money.
Missing Filling or Crown
Sometimes you can detect whether a crown or filling has come loose. The longer you wait, the more complicated the procedure will be. That’s why you should visit an emergency dentist to give you a proper assessment and treatment.
Unexplained Tooth Pain
Teeth pain can come from various sources, but don’t put up with it for days. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you can still tolerate the toothache. However, make a call to an emergency dental service if the pain is severe.
Bleeding gums
Abscessed Tooth
The pain of a severely abscessed tooth is unbearable. Some patients can’t talk, drink, or eat anything since even touching their teeth irritates the situation. Make an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible to get this addressed. It is best to have a professional assess and manage it.
Swollen Jaw or Mouth
Swelling in your jaw or mouth is obviously not normal. Swelling can be caused by various factors, ranging from enlarged lymph nodes to tooth infection. If you’ve been in pain for weeks and if you think that your swollen jaw is the source of all your other dental symptoms, schedule an emergency dental visit immediately.
What Should You Do in Case of a Dental Emergency
If you have dental pain, make an appointment with your dentist. If a tooth abscess or any other disease is left untreated for too long, it can quickly develop into a severe condition.
You should be prepared for various dental emergencies and know what to do in the case of one. Some of the most frequent dental emergencies include:
Toothaches
Rinse your mouth with warm water if you have a toothache to open up blood vessels and lessen swelling. If you need instant pain relief, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or consume something sweet, like an ice chip. You can reduce the discomfort with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but you’ll probably need a stronger painkiller that only your dentist can prescribe. Toothaches may be very unpleasant, so don’t put off seeing the dentist for too long.
Cracked Tooth or Broken Tooth
Cracked teeth are a major issue since they may easily become damaged and cause harm. If you believe there has been any swelling, you should try to use cold compresses on your face to help it go down fast and without causing more complications than required.
Parts of the damaged tooth should be saved. To minimise additional injury, rinse your mouth and any loose debris with water, then apply pressure for several minutes until the bleeding stops or the discomfort has lessened significantly. Remember to get medical help as soon as possible if you have an injury, because even minor injuries can get considerably worse if not treated right away.
Loss of Permanent Tooth
It is important to locate your teeth and clean away any injuries to prevent additional harm. Scrubbing the knocked-out area will likely do more harm than good.
If you have a loose tooth, make an appointment with your dentist. It’s important to clean the surrounding bone and let a professional assess your condition.
Gum bleeding
Gum bleeding is not a frequent occurrence. If you’re having trouble chewing because of chronic sore gums causing pain rather than simply irritation, visit the dentist right away.
If you just had a dental procedure, you must also call your dentist right away because there might be an unwanted complication to the treatment. It’s not normal if the bleeding lasts for many hours.
Partially Dislodged Tooth
If you experience sensitivity or pain from eating hot or cold foods, you should immediately get treatment from your dentist. You can use a cold compress at home until surgery is scheduled, but avoid applying heat to the affected area. To ease discomfort, you can also take over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Mouth Injury
An injury to your jaw or a distorted-looking mouth may require immediate dental treatment. Be calm as much as possible until the emergency dentist arrives to treat your dental injuries that are causing the discomfort. If you bite your tongue, cheek, or lip and the bleeding won’t stop, you should avoid talking and moving while waiting for the experts.
Abscess
An abscess is an oral infection that can harm surrounding tissue and tooth roots. If you don’t treat it, the infection might spread beyond the tooth’s location. If you notice any acne-like swelling on your gums, you should consult a dentist immediately. Rinse with warm salt water to remove pus and reduce discomfort until then.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue bleeding can happen when your cheeks, tongue, lips, and gums are hurt. There are a few things you can do to keep the bleeding under control. You must rinse your mouth with a moderate saltwater solution. Applying pressure to the bleeding area with a tea bag or wet gauze can also help. Then, maintain a stable position until the bleeding stops.
To reduce discomfort and stop bleeding, apply a cool compress to the injured region outside your face or mouth for several minutes. If the bleeding does not stop, see your dentist right away. If you can’t get an appointment with your dentist straight away, go to the emergency room. Continue to apply gauze pressure to the bleeding until you receive medical attention.
Lost Filling and Crown
If you lose your filling, try to place sugarless gum in the cavity or use over-the-counter dental cement. Then, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
You may also use denture adhesive or over-the-counter dental cement to place the crown back on your tooth and hold it in place temporarily until you can see a dentist. Avoid using super glue.
Loose Bands and Wires in Braces
You can use orthodontic wax to tighten loose braces. If your wires are poking you in the mouth, gums, or cheeks, use an eraser end to gently press them back into place. If this isn’t possible, hide any sharp edges with orthodontic wax. However, the best way is to let your professional dentist adjust your braces.
What Is the Fastest Way to Stop a Toothache at Home?
Are you looking for a temporary fix for a toothache? Try these home treatments to get relief from your dental problems and keep your teeth looking their best.
Home Remedies for Toothache:
Apply a cold compress
The first method is to apply a cold pack and put it on the side of your face for 20 minutes at a time. Make sure you use a piece of cloth as a cover to avoid damaging your skin. This will help reduce the pain and inflammation caused by swelling in the mouth after an injury.
Take an anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and lower pain signals. If you decide to use this medication, be sure to take it every few hours as directed on the package so that your body does not experience any negative side effects from stopping therapy too soon. If you don’t have ibuprofen on hand, you can substitute acetaminophen.
Rinse with saltwater
There are a variety of natural techniques to relieve pain. Using warm salt water to rinse your mouth can help clear infections and relieve pain right away.
Use peppermint tea bags
For a limited time, peppermint tea bags may help relieve dental discomfort. Most people like to put the herb in the freezer before drinking it to utilise it. They also like to apply it when it’s still warm, then wait until it’s cold. It gives a pleasant feeling that distracts you from any toothaches you may be experiencing.
Try garlic
Garlic’s usage as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory has been known for thousands of years. Garlic is known to fight harmful bacteria and function as an efficient pain reliever. To relieve your toothaches, crush one or two cloves into a paste and apply directly to the area of discomfort on your gums.
Try a homemade thyme mouthwash
Thyme essential oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that might help reduce toothache symptoms. You can make your own mouthwash with water and thyme, or you can dilute it with cotton balls before applying it to an area that needs it.
What Are the Common Treatments for Toothaches?
Toothaches are common, but they indicate a problem that must be assessed by a professional dentist. If you have swelling in your gums or face and a fever, oral antibiotics may be given. Your dentist may provide a pain-relieving injection around the tooth in rare cases.
If the damage to your teeth is severe, your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction. But if your teeth can still be saved, root canal therapy may be recommended. Moreover, procedures like dental fillings and crowns can be done at the dentist’s office.
If you want to treat your toothache at home, here are some tips that you can use to relieve the pain:
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, both over-the-counter pain relievers, may be used.
- Avoid extremely cold or hot meals since they may aggravate the discomfort.
- Biting on a cotton ball soaked in clove oil may provide relief. Clove oil is available at most pharmacies.
- Using certain types of toothpaste may help to reduce tooth sensitivity. You can even reverse early gum disease if you brush and floss properly.
When Should I Contact a Dentist if I Experience a Dental Emergency?
It’s essential to know the difference between an emergency and a non-emergency dental problem. It will allow you to make more informed decisions about what needs to be treated without rushing to the dentist.
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Some are more severe than others, but all need to be taken care of when the problem arises. Here are the differences between urgent and non-urgent dental emergencies.
Urgent Dental Emergencies
Priority is given to dental issues that require prompt attention in order to alleviate pain, prevent tooth infection and limit the number of persons who end up in hospital emergency departments.
The following dental emergencies must be addressed right away:
- Severe dental pain
- Dental abscess
- Loose teeth
- Knocked-out or fractured teeth
- A broken tooth or a large piece of a tooth is missing
- Fractured tooth
Non-Urgent Dental Emergencies
If you have a non-urgent dental emergency, you can always make a dental appointment with your dentist during regular business hours. Non-urgent dental emergencies include:
- Lost filling, crown, or bridge
- Tooth fractures without severe pain
- Food lodged between the teeth
- Minor tooth pain
You don’t want to ignore any dental problems that may arise. If your teeth are bothering you or giving you pain, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible.
How Does Urgent Treatment Help Oral Health?
If you want to maintain your perfect smile, you must have good oral health. People with proper dental hygiene can talk clearly, enjoy their favourite foods, and smile confidently without showing any dental issues. Poor dental care has serious consequences, including discomfort and pain. If left untreated, it can even lead to complications and expensive treatments like dental surgery.
Certain issues involving the teeth, mouth, and face require urgent dental care. Delaying dental treatment can lead to major oral problems that may harm your overall health.
What Will the Emergency Dentist Do for A Tooth Infection?
Early treatment of tooth infections is essential in preventing the problem from becoming more severe. If someone feels they have an abscessed tooth, they should see a dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible. Abscessed teeth can damage the jawbone, which might require a lot of work from a dentist or oral surgeon.
If your tooth is abscessed, the emergency dentist might prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers. They may also give you over-the-counter pain relievers to take at home while you wait for follow-up treatment from an oral surgeon. This will help with severe pain that can’t be relieved by brushing.
Tips to Prevent Sports-Related Tooth and Mouth Injuries
A mouthguard is required to protect your teeth and gums from injury when participating in sports. Mouthguards are available in various designs and can be used with or without braces. Athletes who participate in a variety of sports regularly can benefit greatly by wearing one at all times, much like professional fighters do. It’s critical to pick the right mouthguard for your teeth. Mouthguards are categorised into three parts:
- Pre-made mouthguard
- "Boil-and-bite" fitted mouthguard
- A custom-made mouthguard from your dentist
When choosing a mouthguard, look for one that is tear-resistant, comfortable and well-fitting for your mouth, easy to clean, and does not restrict your breathing. Your dentist can show you how to use a mouthguard correctly and select the best mouthguard for your smile’s protection.
Final Thoughts
A dental emergency is a quick treatment that assesses your sudden dental issues. Experiencing oral pain can be natural, but continuous bleeding, pain, and discomfort are considered emergencies. Some dental emergencies don’t require immediate action, so knowing whether your condition can be considered a dental emergency is important.
At Piara Waters Dental, we are open to any emergency appointment to perform the quick treatment you need. Our goal is to provide immediate action and offer medical advice when patients have a dental emergency. With the help of our dentist, we will assess your needs as much as possible.
You can contact us at (08) 6196 4661 for an emergency booking, or you can visit us at 2/20 Riva Entrance, Piara Waters, WA 6112 if you happen to have a dental emergency.