Learn the best way to manage common dental emergencies, such as broken teeth, lost fillings, and abscesses, with this helpful guide.
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate dental treatment to prevent further damage to the teeth or gums, or to alleviate severe pain. Dental emergencies can range from a toothache that is causing severe pain, to a knocked-out tooth, to a soft tissue injury in the mouth.
It is important to seek prompt treatment for dental emergencies to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should contact a dentist in uptown Charlotte, or anywhere as soon as possible.
6 Common Dental Emergencies
- Toothache
- Knocked-out tooth
- Fractured or broken tooth
- Abscessed tooth
- Lost filling or crown
- Soft tissue injury (e.g. cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek)
First Aid for Dental Emergencies
Here are some first-aid tips for common dental emergencies:
- Toothache: Clean your mouth by rinsing it with warm water. Floss gently to remove any food that may be stuck between your teeth. You can also try using over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help manage the pain.
- Knocked-out tooth: If you have a tooth that has been completely knocked out, try to handle it by the crown (top part) only. Rinse the tooth off if it is dirty, but do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue. If at all possible, attempt to put the tooth back in its socket. If you are unable to reinsert the tooth, keep it moist by placing it in a cup of milk or saliva. Seek immediate dental treatment as soon as possible.
- Fractured or broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to help reduce swelling. Seek immediate dental treatment.
- Abscessed tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to help clean the area and reduce swelling. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face if there is swelling. Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help manage the pain. Seek immediate dental treatment.
- Lost filling or crown: If you have lost a filling or crown, cover the exposed area with sugarless gum or over-the-counter dental cement to protect it until you can see a dentist. Seek immediate dental treatment.
- Soft tissue injury: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area and help reduce swelling. Apply a cold compress to the affected area to help reduce swelling and discomfort. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, seek immediate dental treatment.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Treatment
- Severe toothache that cannot be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
- If you have a tooth that has been completely knocked out, it is important to seek immediate dental treatment.
- If you have a fractured or broken tooth with exposed pulp (the inner part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels), it is important to seek immediate dental treatment.
- An abscessed tooth is a severe dental infection that requires prompt treatment.
- If you have a soft tissue injury in your mouth that is causing significant bleeding or a large laceration, it is important to seek emergency dental treatment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, and it is important to seek prompt treatment from a dentist to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.
By taking the appropriate first aid measures and knowing when to seek emergency dental treatment, you can help manage the pain and discomfort of a dental emergency until you can see a dentist uptown Charlotte.
