4 Common Types of Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate medical attention. They include severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, trauma on the mouth, dislodged or knocked-out teeth. These problems need to be taken care of immediately or may cause permanent loss of teeth. At the same time, complications like oral cancer may require you to undergo expensive and complicated dental procedures in the future.

These dental emergencies may be caused by accidents while travelling or even playing some sports activities. Some of these emergencies may require immediate attention, while some may wait. This article will help you know the various types of emergency dental problems and how to respond to them.

Common Dental Emergencies and How to Effectively Respond to Them

The following are some of the most typical dental emergencies:

• Knocked out tooth

A knocked-out tooth can be caused by an accident during a sports activity. If you have a knocked-out tooth, avoid touching the roots and instead pick up the other side, the crown par. If you can place it back in its socket, do so carefully and correctly to keep the tooth moist. If you cannot place it back, put the tooth in a fresh glass of milk and take it with you to your dentist. If there is no milk, hold the tooth on your mouth between your jaw and teeth to keep it moist. Visit your emergency dentist near you as soon as possible because the tooth should be positioned back within 30 minutes to save it.

• Bleeding Gums

Signs of bleeding gums can be shown by the presence of blood on your brush when you floss or brush your teeth. Factors such as pregnancy, brushing too vigorously, injury and inflammation can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. If you observe blood when you floss, you can rinse your teeth with hydrogen peroxide. A mixture of salt and warm water can also control the bleeding and reduce bacteria infection. You can also apply a cold compress to the gum line to reduce blood flow or swelling. Visit your dentist if the bleeding is excessive.

• Pain

Most dental emergencies come with pain or discomfort. The nature of the pain determines how you will take care of it. Sometimes, your teeth may crack due to grinding them, making you feel pain when biting down. An abscessed gum can also cause some pain. If your pain is not severe, you can take prescribed antibiotics or pain relievers. If your tooth is cracked, don’t bite or chew on it until you seek emergency dentistry in Mississauga, ON.

• Toothache

If you have a toothache, you can rinse it with hydrogen peroxide and saltwater to clean the oral cavities. Garlic, vanilla extract, and peppermint tea bags can help numb the pain and soothe sensitive gums. You can use cotton wool with thyme oil mixed with water to treat the toothache. If your toothache is so severe, take a pain reliever and immediately see your Mississauga dentist.

Importance of Emergency Dental Services

Emergency dentists focus on restoring your smile and improving your teeth’ aesthetic, boosting your confidence when interacting with colleagues or peers.

Emergency dental care is important in the following ways:

• Urgent dental care helps preserve your teeth and their function.
• It reduces the risk of infection or further complications.
• Emergency dental care serves as an intelligent alternative to traditional ones.
• It also reduces pain enabling you to meet your daily goals and responsibilities.

How to Prevent Emergency Dental Problems

According to our dentist at Pearl Dental Care, you can avoid an emergency trip to your dentist by:

• Regular flossing and brushing
• Wearing mouthguards during sports activities to absorb heavy blows to your oral cavity and prevent damage to your teeth.
• Regular dental checkups to professionally clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar.
• Mindful chewing to prevent chips, cracks, or breaking the teeth.
• Avoid engaging in practices that can stress your jaw nerves, such as nail-biting, jaw clenching, and teeth grinding
• Do not use your teeth for cutting or opening bottle sodas. Instead, use scissors or a bottle opener.
• Use a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your tooth’s enamel.
• Avoid intake of a lot of sugary and hard foods