What Should You Do in the Case of a Dental Emergency?

An emergency can occur at any time, including over the holidays, on weekends, or after hours. Knowing what you ought to do in a dental emergency will help you handle the situation in the best way possible. First, you should remain calm. Next, assess the problem, then contact the emergency dentistry in Calgary, AB. describe the emergency and its symptoms.

The emergency dentist will explain how to take care of the problem to alleviate the symptoms. They will prepare for your treatment immediately after you reach their premises. Some emergencies can wait until later if they have occurred after hours and are not very urgent. Read on to learn about dental emergencies.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

It is a problem involving teeth and their supporting tissues. It is a situation that causes pain, inflammation, and bleeding in the oral tissues. The problem requires prompt treatment by a dentist near you to treat the problem and eliminate the symptoms. Dental emergencies may be caused by poor oral health, bad oral habits, or dental trauma.

What Are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?

1. Knocked-out tooth- A tooth may ultimately come out of its socket due to dental trauma.
2. Toothache- The tooth pain comes suddenly, becoming more severe with time. It may be accompanied by fever, swelling around the area, or tooth sensitivity.
3. Soft tissue injury- The oral soft tissues such as gums, lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks may be injured due to an accident.
4. Abscesses-They are pockets of bacterial infection in the gums or the tooth itself.
5. Extreme tooth sensitivity-The sensations is triggered by extreme temperatures of the foods and drinks you consume.
6. Orofacial swelling- Your face, cheeks and mouth may swell.

Things You Can Do if You Experience a Dental Emergency

Fast action in an emergency can save a tooth, relieve pain and prevent infections. Here are some things to help ease discomfort or pain in a crisis.

1. Relieve irritation and reduce swelling by using a warm saline solution as a mouthwash. Prepare it by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a cup of boiling water. Allow it to cool, then use it when warm.
2. Take the prescribed or over-the-counter medication to relieve pain and discomfort. Rush to the office of the dentist in SE Calgary if the medicine does not work. The pain may indicate a severe and fatal condition.
3. If your tooth is knocked out, retrieve it carefully by the crown instead of picking it by the roots. Rinse any dirt off using clean water but do not scrub as you may damage the connective tissues. Reinsert it into the socket, but if you cannot, put it in some milk or inner cheek until you get to the dentist. Do not delay getting to the emergency dentist.
4. Use an icepack or cold compress on or near the swollen area to alleviate the swelling.
5. In case of a toothache, floss or gently brush your teeth if the pain surrounds a specific tooth. Doing so dislodges anything stuck between your teeth and gum tissue, relieving the pain.
6. Take away anything from the mouth that causes severe tooth sensitivity. Avoid consuming the foods that trigger the sensitivity.

How Can You Prevent Dental Emergencies?

You can avoid most dental emergencies by:

1. Go for routine dental examinations and professional cleanings at Meadows View Dental. The dentist will evaluate your oral health and prevent or treat any dental issues before escalating.
2. Allow the dentist to perform the necessary dental procedures after a diagnosis. The dentist knows best about oral health. When you do not follow their suggestions, a slight problem may worsen with time, causing severe pain and inflammation.
3. Prevent dental trauma by wearing a mouthguard when participating in sports.
4. Floss and brush your teeth daily to enhance your oral hygiene preventing oral health problems like gum disease.
5. Use proper tools to cut packages or open bottles instead of your teeth.
6. Chew pretzels, popcorn kernels, ice, hard nuts, or chewy candy carefully. They can crack, chip, or break a tooth or dental restorations.
7. Watch what you eat as diet plays an integral part in oral health. For example, reduce the amount of sugar you take and eat fruits and vegetables.