In most cases, dental emergencies require immediate attention. You can suffer further damage to your teeth or gums if you suffer certain injuries. For Higgins dental emergency Jacksonville FL, you should contact your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room.
Dental emergencies: what are they?
It is any dental problem that requires immediate attention that is considered an emergency. It is not necessary for all dental problems to be treated as emergencies. You should seek dental emergency care if you have bleeding that won’t stop, pain that won’t go away with medication, or broken facial bones.
The best way to handle a dental emergency
The first thing you should do if you have a dental emergency is call your dentist for further instructions. If you have an emergency after regular business hours, many dentists have an emergency number you can call. The nearest emergency room or urgent care center is a good choice if you don’t have a dentist.
Where to go for a dental emergency
When you have a dental emergency, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth, your dentist will treat you in their office. The emergency room should be consulted for more serious injuries, such as broken facial bones.
In what circumstances is a dental emergency considered?
The following are examples of dental emergencies:
Dislodged tooth that has partially extruded.
Inflammation of the jaw and face caused by a dental abscess.
Broken or lost dental restorations.
Injuries to soft tissues (such as a busted lip or deep cut).
Toothache that is extremely painful.
Tooth with a bad crack.
Dentist knocked out a tooth.
Until you can see a dentist, here are some tips on how to deal with each of these dental emergencies:
Toothache that is severe
Start by thoroughly rinsing your mouth with warm water. Remove any lodged food with dental floss. Use a cold compress on your cheeks or outside of your mouth if your mouth is swollen. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, naproxen or ibuprofen can be taken over-the-counter. Please consult your dentist as soon as possible if you notice any signs of gum disease or tooth decay. (Never apply aspirin or any other painkillers directly to your gums or teeth.)
Cracked tooth
Whenever you have a broken piece of your tooth, you should save it and rinse it. Make sure your mouth is clean by rinsing it with warm water. The bleeding should stop within 10 minutes of applying gauze to the area. To relieve pain and reduce swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth, cheek, or lip. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth knocked out
The tooth should be retrieved, held by the crown (the part visible above your gums), and rinsing with water. Remove any attached tissue fragments without scrubbing. Whenever possible, try to place your tooth back in its socket.
You need to make sure it’s facing the right way. It should never be forced into place. Put your tooth in a small container of milk (or a cup of water with salt if milk isn’t available) or a product containing cell growth medium if you can’t replace it in its socket.
It is always best to see your dentist as soon as possible in any case. Getting a knocked-out tooth back into its socket within one hour gives your dentist the best chance of saving it.
An extruded (partially dislodged) tooth
Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Until you reach your dentist’s office, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the affected area to relieve pain. If pain persists, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
Dental abscess
Infections around the roots of teeth or between teeth and gums, also known as abscesses, are swollen areas. In addition to causing pain, an abscess can damage nearby teeth and tissue as well. If left untreated, the infection may cause swelling of your face or jaw, or spread to other parts of your body.
Seeing your dentist as soon as possible is the best thing you can do if you have a dental abscess. Try rinsing your mouth several times a day with a mild salt-water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) to ease the pain.
Dental restorations that have been lost or broken
It is possible for old dental restorations to fall out or become dislodged. Use sugarless gum or an over-the-counter dental cement to fill a cavity with a broken or missing filling (sugar-filled gum will cause pain). Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Take your broken dental crown or bridge to your dentist as soon as possible and bring the restoration with you. Replacing your restoration is a good idea if possible. To help hold the restoration in place, coat the inner surface with dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive.
