Your Meteghan SureSmile Provider
Underlying oral health issues or injuries to the teeth and mouth are some causes behind many peoples' dental emergencies. Our Meteghan dentists share advice about how to know if your dental issue is an emergency, and what to do.
What's A Dental Emergency?
Any problem affecting your mouth, teeth or gums that needs timely dental attention is considered a dental emergency. Specifically, this can include:
A Broken, Chipped, Or Knocked Out Tooth
A tooth that has been damaged – broken or chipped, for example – can typically be repaired but requires immediate dental care. The dentist may be able to repair the fracture or chip with a filling, whereas more serious breaks may need a crown or root canal.
For teeth that have been knocked out, a dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place if the patient is seen within approximately an hour of the incident. The tooth has a better chance of taking root again within this time frame. After the two-hour mark, the chances of successful replacement decreases significantly, and alternative measures will have to be considered.
Severe Toothache
If you experience pain associated with your teeth that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain medication, first gently press ice to the external area and then get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible to book an urgent dental appointment.
Toothaches can indicate potential major dental issues, so it is important to take them seriously.
Lost Filling
A lost filling is also serious as it exposes the interior of your tooth, weakening its structure. It’s important to see a dentist to have the filling replaced as soon as possible. You can protect the area until you get to the dentist by replacing the filling temporarily with a softened piece of sugarless gum.
Object Lodged Between Teeth
Objects getting lodged between the teeth can present a hazard and warrant attention from your dentist. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, don't try to remove it with a sharp object, as this could push it further between your teeth - or injure your mouth and gums.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you are experiencing non-stop bleeding after biting your tongue or lip, you need to visit an emergency dental clinic if it doesn't stop shortly after the injury. In the meantime, apply a clean cloth to the part of the mouth that’s bleeding and press down. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, and seek urgent dental care.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The condition is extremely painful and usually develops due to an advanced bacterial infection that has affected the soft pulp or root of the tooth. Dental abscesses can occur due to a cavity that’s been left untreated, severe gum disease or possibly a chipped tooth.
Symptoms can include anything from a bad taste in your mouth to swollen glands, pain, pus or fever. An abscessed tooth will usually need surgery to drain the infected material and treat it properly. Treatment for dental abscesses can also involve root canal surgery in an effort to save the natural tooth.