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Dental Emergencies

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Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be frightening and painful, necessitating prompt treatment to relieve pain and optimize the chances of tooth survival.

Teeth can fracture due to various reasons like trauma, grinding, or biting hard objects. Similarly, dental restorations like fillings or crowns may get damaged or dislodged. Severe pain indicates a dental emergency, and prompt action is crucial. Without treatment, the pain tends to worsen, and neglecting dental problems can pose risks to overall physical health. Contact our office immediately if you experience severe pain.

Types of dental emergency and how to deal with them

Avulsed Tooth (Tooth Knocked Out)

If a tooth is knocked out, immediate dental attention is crucial. When a tooth is dislodged, it damages tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Reinserting the tooth within an hour increases the chance of tissue support restoration.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Contact our office immediately.
  2. Hold the tooth by the crown, avoiding touching the root, and rinse it with warm water.
  3. Ideally, reposition the tooth in its socket; if not possible, keep it moist by placing it in the cheek pouch.
  4. If unable to put the tooth back, store it in milk, saliva, or water to prevent it from drying out.
  5. Proceed to our office promptly and safely.

We’ll endeavor to reattach the tooth in its natural socket. In cases of severe damage, root canal therapy may be necessary

Lost Crown or Filling: What to Do

If you experience a loose crown or filling, it likely occurred while eating and may result in heightened sensitivity to temperature and pressure in the affected tooth. Loose crowns are often a result of decay in the underlying tooth, causing changes in tooth shape and fit.

Immediate action is crucial in such situations. If a crown falls out, store it in a cool, safe place, as it may be possible to reinsert it during a dental appointment. Prolonged absence of the crown can lead to tooth shifting and additional damage.

In the interim, follow these steps:

  • Apply clove oil to the affected tooth for pain relief.
  • Clean the crown and use dental cement (available at pharmacies) to reattach it to the tooth.
  • If the crown is lost, apply dental cement to the exposed tooth to alleviate discomfort.
  • Avoid using any adhesive or glue to reattach the crown.
  • During your dental appointment, we will assess the fit of the crown. If suitable, it will be reattached. Any decay will be treated, and a new crown may be recommended if necessary.

Cracked or broken teeth

Teeth are sturdy, yet susceptible to fractures and breaks, often caused by trauma, grinding, or biting. While some fractures may not initially cause pain, if they reach the root, severe pain is likely. Prompt action is necessary in such cases.

For broken teeth, immediate steps include:

  1. Contact our office.
  2. Rinse the mouth and tooth fragment with lukewarm water.
  3. Apply gauze if bleeding occurs.
  4. Use a cold compress on the cheek to reduce swelling and pain.
  5. Apply over-the-counter dental cement if immediate dental care is unavailable.
  6. Use topical pain relief.

The extent of the damage determines treatment. For fractures reaching the root, root canal therapy is often necessary for preservation. In cases of complete breaks, temporary reattachment of the fragment is typically performed by your dentist.

Dislodged or Loose Teeth:

When a tooth is dislodged or loosened due to trauma or decay, it may be possible to save it, especially if it remains attached to the blood vessels and nerves in the mouth. Immediate action is crucial.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Call our office right away to schedule an appointment.
  2. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter pain medications for relief.
  3. Your dentist will reposition the tooth and apply splints to stabilize it.
  4. If healing doesn’t occur, root canal therapy may be necessary.

For any questions or concerns about dental emergencies, feel free to contact our office.

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