Dental emergencies, like severe tooth pain or broken or knocked-out teeth, require immediate attention. They can be caused by traumatic injuries or even everyday activities such as playing sports, chewing on complex objects and drinking from glass bottles.
Some dental problems, such as bleeding gums or loose teeth, may not be emergency cases but should still receive care immediately. To avoid further complications, you should follow preventative measures like regular oral care, good dental hygiene, and protective gear during sports activities. For more emergency dentist Woodville, click here.
Toothaches
A toothache is a tooth or mouth pain that may have many causes. Severe oral pain requires emergency dental care to avoid serious problems like tooth decay and infection.
A 24-hour dentist can treat all types of toothaches. They will use X-rays and physical exams to diagnose the problem. They will also give you pain medication and antibiotics if needed.
If you have a cavity, the emergency dentist will drill beneath the enamel and dentin layers to reach the pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels; the dentist will remove it to relieve the pain. They will then clean and seal the tooth.
Other reasons to call an emergency dentist include a swollen jaw, unstoppable bleeding, or loose teeth. To prevent toothaches, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Also, rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce the pain. Over-the-counter painkillers can also help.
Broken Teeth
Tooth fractures and cracks can cause pain, and if they extend to the root, it could lead to the need for tooth removal. Patients who have a cracked tooth are advised to contact their dentist immediately. They should use dental cement to cover the crack while waiting for an appointment. Sometimes, the dentist may recommend a root canal procedure to save the tooth. For more emergency dentist Woodville, click here.
Broken teeth can range from a chip in the enamel layer to a severe break that exposes the dentin and pulp. Serious breaks can also bleed. If left untreated, bacteria can infect the exposed pulp over time, causing more pain and eventually requiring tooth removal. If you have a broken tooth, rinse the area with lukewarm water and apply pressure with gauze for 10 minutes to stop bleeding. Then, suck on a damp tea bag (the tannic acid in the tea helps blood clot) or a sugarless chewing gum to reduce swelling and pain until you can see your dental professional.
Knocked Out Teeth
Knocked-out teeth are a dental emergency and should be treated by an emergency dentist as soon as possible. A knocked-out tooth treated within an hour of being knocked out has a good chance of survival.
The key is to keep the tooth moist, so if you have a knocked-out tooth, rinse it in milk or saline solution and gently place it back into its socket. Bite on a clean handkerchief to hold it in place, and see a dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth Injuries
Tooth injuries can be painful and scary. They also increase the risk of future problems like cavities and gum disease. Getting immediate dental care is essential for preventing further damage to the tooth.
Teeth are strong, but they can be damaged by trauma or grinding and biting. Dental fractures, cracks and breaks can range from mild to severe and are considered dental emergencies.
A superficial fracture confined to the tooth’s enamel layer may not be serious. Still, a deeper fracture exposes dentine and potentially the pulp tissue that contains blood vessels, nerves and cells. Pulp necrosis can follow a deep fracture and needs to be treated promptly.
If a fractured tooth is not treated immediately, it may need root canal treatment. An emergency dentist will perform a complete examination and may take dental X-rays of the injured area. They can then provide appropriate treatment and restore any injury-related dental work.