A dental emergency is a circumstance that necessitates quick medical attention. Most dental emergencies are caused by oral infections or severe trauma resulting from sports injuries, car crashes, or slips. Commonly affected are the face, mouth, and/or jaws. Your dentist should be qualified to treat the majority of dental injuries, infections, and discomfort.
Dental Emergencies: What to Do
By definition, you can’t prepare for an emergency. You can’t predict if or when you’ll have a dental emergency, but you can be ready for one, so you’ll be ready to act when it does happen. With a clear plan of action in hand, dealing with a crisis is a breeze.
What are some typical cases of urgent dental care needed?
An emergency dental problem can’t wait for regular business hours. Tooth infections and traumatic injuries from things like sports and vehicle accidents and falls are the most prevalent causes of emergency dental care. The face, mouth, and jaws are common sites of injury in such situations. Most dental injuries, infections, and pains should be easily manageable by your dentist. But if you have any of these serious symptoms, you should go to the emergency department right away:
- Face, mouth, and/or neck swelling
- Discharge of pus from the lips, face, and/or neck that can be seen with the naked eye.
- Lymph node enlargement next to an infected tooth
- Impairment of normal mouth function, including difficulty opening and closing the mouth
- Extreme bleeding after oral trauma
- Dental injury, such as a chipped or knocked-out tooth
If you’ve determined that you don’t have a medical emergency, the next step is to make an appointment with your dentist so they can assess the situation and recommend a course of action.
I need to go to the dentist immediately, but I don’t know what to expect when I get there.
Your dentist will first need to determine the full amount of the injury or damage before he or she can begin any of the procedures outlined above.
- First, the tooth or teeth in question and their surrounding tissues will be examined clinically.
- Dental imaging, such as close-up x-rays, is also necessary for determining whether or not there is damage to the inner tooth structures, root, or surrounding bone.
- Your dentist will refer you to a specialist in the field of dentistry if he or she thinks that you need it (for example, for extensive root canal work or a broken jaw).
Paediatric Dental Trauma
Kids often have “busted lips,” or lacerations to the lips, tongue, and gums, as a result of accidental falls. With primary teeth remaining in place, children usually experience less complicated dental damage than adults. There are usually no serious issues if a baby’s tooth is knocked out before its natural time, but it is essential to be assessed by a dental specialist just in case. If your kid is in discomfort or you can’t stop the bleeding from a cut in the mouth, you should take him or her to the dentist.
When it comes to adults, what are the risks involved with dental trauma that goes untreated?
Traumatic injuries to the teeth, if left untreated, can cause serious issues down the road. Numerous of the traumas we discussed previously, for instance, might result in the loss of nerve tissue inside the tooth. It might happen sometimes without any discomfort. Root canal therapy is usually necessary for nerve damage. You might get a very serious illness if you delay any longer. If you have a mouth injury, see your dentist immediately so that any issues can be addressed before they become painful emergencies.
In what ways can dental trauma be avoided?
Averting all dental crises is an impossibility. A bespoke athletic mouthguard can save you from the pain and suffering of dental injuries sustained while playing sports. This well-crafted equipment shields teeth from potential damage in the event of a fall or other traumatic impact. They also act as a buffer between the teeth and the gums and lips, reducing the risk of injury. By isolating the upper and lower jaws with a rubber barrier, a bespoke sports mouthguard acts as a shock absorber, protecting teeth and jaws from damage.
Steps to Take in Case of Dental Emergencies
Dental care requires that you have both your dentist’s office and emergency number readily available. Then make sure everyone else in your area does the same by starting a conversation about it. Consult your dentist at Super Smile Dental for advice on how to address any of the dental emergencies mentioned below. To get the finest treatment as soon as possible, you should know who to contact and where to go.
To arrange an appointment with one of our emergency dentists, you don’t need to be a patient who is currently registered with us. Do not delay in getting prompt medical attention if you are suffering any kind of tooth discomfort. Call us at Super Smile Dentist in Cardiff right away.