Do You Have a Dental Emergency?
- By Shawn Kimmel
- •
- 10 Apr, 2020
If you think you are experiencing a dental emergency, here are some tips and advice on what to do.
Four Causes of Tooth Pain and How to Handle Them
As you probably know, toothaches don’t go away on their own. Instead, they get worse, causing pain, swelling and discomfort. All tooth pain requires a dental exam to get to the bottom of the situation. In the meantime, here are four common causes of toothaches with tips for temporary relief:
01. CAVITIES: Cavities, left untreated, cause inflammation and pain. Avoid hot and cold foods and wipe clove oil over the gums in the painful area. Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief.
02. ABSCESSES: An abscess starts as an infection in the inner tooth which causes pain and swelling. Treat this as described above for cavities.
03. IMPACTED TOOTH: A tooth that has not broken through the gum is “impacted” and causes pain and swelling. Use cold packs, over-the counter pain relievers or a numbing gel.
04. IMPACT INJURIES: A blow to the face or biting on a hard surface can fracture, crack or loosen a tooth, resulting in pain. Apply cold compresses to your cheek to lessen the pain.
How to Get a Rapid Repair of Your Smile
When accidents happen to you and your smile, here is how different cosmetic dental emergencies are typically addressed:
» KNOCKED-OUT TEETH: This procedure may improve the rate of success in repositioning a knocked-out tooth: Gently pick up the tooth by its chewing surface (not the root). Don’t try to clean it. Store it in your cheek or immerse it in a container with milk or saliva. Come see us within 45 minutes.
» CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH: Many broken or chipped teeth can be repaired on the spot with tooth-colored dental bonding material. If needed, we can then schedule you for further repairs at a later date.
» BROKEN, DISLODGED OR LOST CROWNS: If your crown has broken, we can make you a temporary crown to replace it. If your crown has come loose but still fits correctly, we can simply re-cement it in place. Both procedures are fast repairs to your smile.
» BROKEN BRIDGES: A broken bridge can make it hard to eat and, if it’s in a visible location, cause you to hide your smile. Exposed teeth may also be sensitive to heat, cold and pressure. In an emergency visit, we can protect your exposed teeth with temporary crowns. Besides repairing your smile, treating cosmetic dental emergencies quickly also protects your oral health. A cracked, broken or chipped tooth, for instance, could be subject to further damage or infection and you could possibly lose the tooth.