Emergency Dentist: How to Handle Dental Emergencies

Do you have a toothache? Have you lost a filling? Is your tooth fractured? Do you have a dental abscess? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should see an emergency dentist immediately. Any dental issue that requires immediate treatment in order to eliminate pain, save a tooth, or stop bleeding is considered an emergency. Here's a summary of what to do for four common dental emergencies.

Toothache
If you have a toothache, take acetaminophen or sip on ice water to get rid of the pain. Never take ibuprofen or aspirin for a dental emergency. These medicines can cause excessive bleeding. If your mouth is swollen, apply an ice pack to the area. Keep in mind that an emergency dentist can get you out of pain quickly.

Dental Abscess
A dental abscess can develop in the space between the gums and teeth or around the root of a tooth. Dental abscesses can occur in your mouth if you’re at risk for periodontal disease or haven’t taken good care of your teeth. To ease your pain, try rinsing your mouth with a salt water solution several times a day. Keep in mind that untreated abscesses can lead to life-threatening complications.

Tooth Fracture
If your tooth is fractured, apply an ice pack to the area. This will keep the swelling down. Take acetaminophen to get rid of the pain. An x-ray will be required in order for your dental provider to diagnose the condition of your tooth. If the tooth pulp is damaged, you may require root canal treatment.

Knocked-Out Teeth
If your tooth has been knocked out of your mouth, rinse it with water. Don’t remove the attached tissue fragments. Take the tooth to an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Make sure you transfer the tooth to the dentist in milk, saline, or saliva. Don’t transport the tooth dry. This will damage the tooth within minutes. Your dental provider may be able to place the tooth back into your mouth. This procedure is called reimplantation.

Putting off treatment for a dental emergency can increase the risk of permanent damage and lead to more expensive treatments down the road. If you’re facing a dental emergency, get up from your seat and start searching for a qualified emergency dentist in your area. An emergency dentist will have you back in the game before you know it!