No, not all accidents and traumas require a visit to an emergency dentist near you. While most accidents require urgent treatment, some can be handled at home with remedies. It is important to differentiate between the accident that needs urgent dental care and those that can be handled at home. In this post, we list five of the common dental emergencies that need urgent treatment.
When Should You Visit an Emergency Dentist in 07960?
When an accident occurs, these are the signs you need urgent dental assistance:
1. Bleeding gums
It is possible to bruise your gums when you brush vigorously with a hard toothbrush. However, when you notice persistent bleeding especially after flossing, it could be a sign of a serious problem like gum disease.
Gum disease, caused by bacteria, is a potentially serious dental problem because it causes the gums to recede and also the formation of pockets. These pockets trap food particles and bacteria, which further worsens the problem. In advanced cases, gum disease can affect the supporting bone and cause teeth decay.
It is possible to reverse gum disease if treatment is started early, hence the need to visit an emergency dentist immediately you notice gum bleeding.
2. Toothache
Tooth pain can be mild caused by food stuck between the gums. This kind of pain can clear after a while using home remedies. However, when you have persistent and severe pain, it is often a sign of decay and tooth fracture.
While you can use remedies and pain medication to ease the discomfort, it is not advisable because the pain will clear out but the root cause is still present. The dentist will assess your teeth and treat the decay and fracture.
3. Knocked-out teeth
Our teeth are strong but they can get dislodged from the socket after an accident. They can also get loosened because of decay, and require immediate treatment. Knocked-out teeth can be saved from extraction if the treatment is started early. That is why it is advisable to visit an emergency dentist within an hour of the accident.
4. Abscess
A dental abscess is caused by a bacterial infection and often results from untreated gum disease. It occurs as pus-filled pimples on the gums that can be a source of great pain. Teeth abscesses, left untreated, can spread to the surrounding tissues and cause inflammation. It is important to get assessed by the dentist because the abscess will not clear without treatment.
5. Swollen Jaw
Your jaw can swell because of an untreated bacterial infection. As the bacteria spread to the surrounding tissues, it can affect the salivary glands and block the flow of saliva. This not only causes the jaws to swell but will also affect your oral health.
Tumors and abnormal growths can also cause the jaws to swell and that is why you are advised to seek immediate dental assistance when you notice slight swelling.
What Dental Problems Can Wait?
Some of the dental accidents can be handled at home as you wait for an appointment. Broken restorations except braces, bridges, and implants can wait for an appointment within a day or two. Loose veneers and crowns can do not need urgent care unless they cause tooth sensitivity.
Other problems include dull toothaches, small cracks and chips, and food lodged in your teeth.
What Can You Do?
It is crucial to visit the emergency dentist immediately for treatment, but you also need to perform first aid to ease the pain and bleeding.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to get rid of debris and dirt
- Use a cold compress to stop or reduce swelling
- Bite a gauze pad to stop gum bleeding
- Use saltwater to ease the pain and inflammation
- Do not take pain medication unless advised by the dentist
- Visit the dentist immediately the dental accident occurs
Are Dental Accidents Preventable?
Although dental accidents occur abruptly, there are several ways you can reduce the impact and severity. Practice proper dental hygiene to prevent bacterial infection and also wear mouthguards if you suffer from bruxism.
Final Thoughts
Visit Dental Care of Morristown for more information on dental emergencies and what you can do when they occur.