Top 5 Emergency Dental Issues and What to Do About It
Most emergencies are sudden and unexpected, and they may involve a variety of dental health problems, including pain, infection, or trauma.
Getting into an accident is never a good thing, but it can be even worse if you have a dental emergency. You may not know how to handle the situation or where to turn for help. Here are the top 5 most common dental trauma that need urgent dental care and what to do in each case!
What is an Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is the practice of dentistry that focuses on pain relief and infection control
The goal of emergency dental care is to minimize any long-term damage that may be caused by the condition.
Common Dental Emergencies and What to Do When You Encounter them
A dental emergency can be caused by physical trauma or infection. One should always visit a dentist in Coopersburg without delay when a dental accident occurs.
The common dental emergencies that you could encounter include:
- Toothache
Toothache can be a symptom of tooth decay, gum disease, or an infection.
The pain can suddenly or in waves depending on the cause. The more time passes without treatment, the higher the risk of the infection spreading.
Toothaches can be very painful, and they can interfere with your daily life. Home remedies like warm water or ice therapy can help alleviate the pain. However, it is not advisable to take any pain medication without consulting a dentist near you.
If you have persistent pain, you may need emergency dentistry in Coopersburg, PA, for immediate treatment.
- Accidental Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or broken tooth is a common dental occurrence, usually comes from biting hard foods, falls, or chewing ice. The fracture may be as deep as the bone and can often lead to infection.
A simple way to prevent these accidents is to protect your teeth with a mouthguard while playing sports and wearing one at night if you grind your teeth.
If you get a chipped tooth, don’t try to fix it yourself and instead see a dentist straight away for appropriate treatment. Sometimes, if the fracture extends to the root of the teeth, the dentist may recommend an emergency tooth extraction to preserve the rest of the teeth.
- Dental Abscess
Some common causes of abscess are decay, gum disease, a bacterial or fungal infection. This type of infection will need immediate attention from a dentist in Coopersburg, PA, to prevent further complications.
If left untreated, the pus from the abscess could spread and result in more problems like arthritis, heart attack, or kidney failure.
Rinsing your mouth with warm water mixed with salt or using ice therapy can ease the pain.
- Gum or Tooth Bleeding
It is not uncommon for people to experience gum or tooth bleeding at some point in their lives. However, the severity and frequency of the bleeding will vary from person to person. Some people may only experience it once, while others may suffer from it repeatedly.
Some causes of gum or tooth bleeding may include:
- Tooth abscesses
- Dental plaque buildup
- Gum disease
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Trauma to the mouth
- Swollen Jaw
A swollen jaw is a dental emergency caused by many factors, such as bacterial infection or TMJ. All of the following are signs that may indicate swollen jaw:
- Aching or soreness in your teeth or jaw area
- Tender lymph nodes in the neck region
- Swollen gland on the side of your neck or under your chin
- Difficulty opening either side of your mouth wide enough to fit a finger between it and the other side of your mouth.
Tips on What to do After an Emergency Dental Procedure
Knowing what steps you should take after an emergency dental procedure will help ease your fears.
- Know When to Seek Emergency Dentist Help
It is always in your best interest to visit a dentist as soon as you have a dental emergency. Waiting too long can cause further damage and lead to severe pain and even infection.
- Be Careful Not to Damage Your Healing Mouth Area Further After a Dental Emergency
It’s important to remember that not every type of dental emergency needs a trip to the emergency room visit. Rinse out mouth with water or milk: Milk is rich in calcium and protein, which will help rebuild tooth enamel.
- Eat Highly Nutritious Foods That Help with Dental Healing and Recovery
The following are some of the most nutritious foods that help with dental health:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and vitamin B-12.
- Broccoli contains antioxidants that fight free radicals.
- Avocados have folate, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which help to reduce inflammation in the mouth.
- Bananas have a lot of potassium which is great for the mouth because it can reduce swelling.
The Importance of Seeking Emergency Treatment for Your Dental Problems
If you have a toothache and think it’s just an issue, the best thing is to get emergency dentistry services. You can’t take matters into your own hands and try to fix the problem yourself because it could lead to more serious dental problems.
Visit Coopersburg Dental for assistance after a dental emergency occurs.