Do not wait till your dentist books an appointment. If you are currently struggling with an emergency dental situation, immediately contact the emergency dentist near you. The expert will provide you with faster treatment and help you successfully repair the damage.
Emergency dentists usually operate outside of normal business hours. Early treatment will increase your chances of keeping your mouth healthy and strong. There are certain steps that patients can take before visiting dental offices for dental urgencies.
What Causes Dental Emergency?
The following are the common causes of dental emergencies:
Food
Sometimes, you also need emergency dental care because of the food you consume. Chomping down too hard on raw carrots, hard candies, and other hard food varieties can cause chipping or even knock out of the tooth. Therefore, avoid foods that are likely to cause tooth damage.
Decay
Another cause of dental emergencies includes tooth decay. When the decay causes annoying pain and prevents you from carrying out your standard routine, it’s a dental urgency. You must take steps to prevent dental caries and reduce your chances of potential dental emergencies.
Bad Oral Hygiene
Neglecting dental hygiene leads to many issues like cavities, infections, etc. All these conditions are painful and lead to multiple trips to the dentist near you. Regular check-ups allow the dental professional to detect and treat potential issues before they turn into painful conditions.
Trauma from Fall
Sometimes, a fall can knock out the teeth or even break them. In the case of a tiny crack, the dentist uses bonding to repair the damage. However, for large cracks, the professional apply a crown. Furthermore, if the tooth gets knocked out, the dentist puts it back in its position.
Trauma from Sport Accidents
If you play sports activities that involve a lot of physical contacts, there is always a risk of serious injury to the mouth. It’s possible to break, crack, or knock out the teeth. The dentist usually suggests using a mouthguard every time you play contact sports. He/she also recommends the best treatment after evaluating the damage to the teeth.
How to Deal with a Dental Emergency?
Below is the step-by-step approach to handling dental emergencies:
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Wash your mouth with warm water and then place gauze on where you see bleeding. Now, put a cold compress on the area located near the chipped or broken tooth.
Dental Abscess
If you see pimple-like swelling on your gums, contact the dentist in Morristown immediately. In the meantime, draw the pus towards the surface and wash your mouth using a mild salt water solution multiple times a day. You can create a saltwater solution by mixing 1/2 tsp of table salt in 8 ounces of water.
Injuries to the Soft Tissues
To ease pain and control bleeding from the gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue, consider the following steps:
- Use a mild salt water solution and wash your mouth with it.
- Now, apply a moist tea bag and gauze.
- Then, put some pressure on it to the bleeding area.
- Do this for 15-20 minutes.
- You can even place a cold compress on the outside area of your cheeks or mouth.
Note: If the bleeding continues, visit the emergency room right away.
Knocked-Out Tooth
In case of a knocked-out tooth, you can pick it up by the crown. Then if the tooth is dirty, wash off the tooth root. Now, place the tooth back in its position. But avoid pushing it into the tooth socket. If you cannot put the tooth back in its place, try to place it in a small cup. Then, add water or milk with a pinch of salt.
Tooth Pain
If you feel tooth pain accompanied by swelling, it is essential to seek urgent dental care. Till you reach the dentist at Dental Care of Morristown, use a cold compress on the outside of your teeth.
Lost Crown or Filling
If you have broken or lost dental fillings and crowns, you need a dental expert in emergency dentistry in Morristown, NJ immediately to avoid further reinfection and damage. While waiting for emergency dental services, try to stick a piece of sugar-free gum into the cavity. Alternatively, put your dental restoration in a zip-lock bag and bring it to the dental clinic for reapplication.