If you’re like most people, then you have your fair share of responsibilities. The last thing you need, then, is to have a dental emergency slow you down. While it’s unfortunate for one to happen, the reality is that an emergency can appear when you least expect it to. So you can recover as effectively as possible, a local emergency dentist provides insight on 4 commonly occurring forms of dental trauma.
What is Generally Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency can be considered as any occurrence that impedes the normal function of your mouth, teeth or gums, and involves acute pain, a dislodged or broken tooth or excessive oral bleeding. Because a dental emergency can appear in several different manners, it’s best to know what to expect and how a dentist can treat each situation.
No matter what type of trauma you face, though, it’s vital that you do the following:
- Remain as calm as possible so you can make the right decisions
- Contact an emergency dentist immediately so you can be seen as soon as possible
By keeping these two simple principles in mind, you can reduce the amount of suffering that you have to endure. Let’s now look at the most common types of dental emergencies.
#1 – Toothache
Many people will experience a toothache at some point in life. The usual culprit is acute oral bacteria growth that has penetrated deep into the area where the pulp and nerves are housed. The result can be intense pain.
One of the possible treatments a dentist may suggest is a root canal procedure, which involves numbing the tooth and making an incision to gain access to the decayed tissue. After removing it and cleaning the area thoroughly, the tooth is packed with a special compound called gutta-percha. It’s then sealed and restored with the placement of a porcelain crown.
#2 – Dislodged Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, the first step to take is to grab it by the crown (the wider portion) and then thoroughly rinse it under cool water. You can then try to reinsert it. If you’re unsuccessful, you can soak it in a cup of water or milk until you can be seen by an emergency dentist.
If the tooth root is still alive, the dentist may be able to reattach the tooth. However, if this isn’t possible, the dental professional may suggest the placement of a dental bridge or implant.
#3 – Chipped or Broken Tooth
A tooth chip or break can be a painful endeavor. When you visit a dentist, the professional will assess the severity of the damage to determine whether the tooth is salvageable and what’s the best restoration route to take.
In some cases, dental bonding may be all that is needed, while in other situations, the best approach may be to perform a root canal.
#4 – Cut to the Soft Tissue
Some of the causes of oral bleeding can be sudden trauma to the face, biting one’s own tongue or jaw, or an existing condition that becomes more acute. If the attempts to stop the bleeding by applying a cotton swab or some other agent to the area are unsuccessful, then you’ll need to reach out to an emergency dentist to be seen.
The treatments, which can involve the dentist applying stitches or removing an object that has become lodged in the soft tissue, can vary depending on your situation.
Because every emergency is different, the main point is that no matter what type of dental trauma you may have, your best ally in recovering is an emergency dentist. By taking the appropriate action and getting the expert help you need, you can soon get back to leading a normal life.
About the Author
Dr. Dennis E. Stansbury earned his dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. By regularly participating in continuing education courses, he is able to provide the varied care that patients may need to recover from a dental emergency. Dr. Stansbury cares for patients at his private practice, and he can be reached for more information through his website.