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Oral issues can be a source of concern as they typically cause unbearable pain and may even ruin your perfect smile. Some of these issues may require dental emergency treatments, as ignoring them may worsen the problem. Here are five common situations where you may need emergency dental treatment.
Toothache is a common dental emergency and requires immediate attention if severe, sudden and persisting. The pain typically gets worse and more intense, causing great discomfort. It may be caused by a sensitive tooth, infections, or a fractured tooth. If you’re experiencing toothache and the pain is not going away, don’t hesitate to visit your dentist. In the meantime, a cold compress may help alleviate some discomfort.
Although your teeth are incredibly strong, they can become damaged, especially if you bite down on hard objects or grind your teeth at night. A broken tooth can both cause pain and ruin your perfect smile. If your teeth are broken or chipped, there’s no alternative but to see your dentist as quickly as possible. If the affected tooth is not salvageable, you may have to explore other options such as dental bridges and implants.
Any facial impact that knocks one or two of your teeth out requires immediate dental attention. Loose or knocked-out teeth are usually the result of a traumatic injury or hard impact. If a tooth is loose, try to keep that tooth in its socket by gently biting down on the tooth. If the tooth is knocked out, locate the missing tooth and handle it only by the crown to avoid damaging the tooth roots. After rinsing, put it into a sealed container filled with either milk or saltwater until your dentist can see you.
Dental restorations like a filling or a crown can come off, and when this happens, you need to seek a dentist immediately. These restorations help protect a tooth and restore it to optimal appearance and function, so if the filling or crown falls out, the tooth is no longer protected. Thus, when a filling or crown gets lost, you must visit your dentist immediately to avoid further damage or complications.
Swollen or bleeding gums are never a good sign as it is likely a symptom of gum disease or an infection. It could also be due to using a hard-bristled brush. A major sign that it is a case of infection is if you have an overall bad taste in your mouth or an ongoing bad breath. Visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible so they can examine the dental problem and provide a relieving solution.
It’s a good idea to prevent dental issues with good dental care but knowing what to do when emergency strikes can help nip the issue in the bud quickly before it deteriorates. The above dental emergency treatments can help restore good oral health and prevent long-term damage.