Learn About the 9 Most Common Types of Dental Emergencies?
A dental emergency refers to any mouth injury that requires immediate dental attention in order to prevent the risk of irreparable consequences.
Dental emergencies usually occur when a patient experiences severe oral pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or broken facial bones. If left untreated, these dental emergencies can lead to further complications, including the spread of infection, tooth mobility, and in some cases, even tooth loss.
Moreover, if certain dental emergencies are not addressed promptly, they can even result in various overall health issues.
To help you determine what action you should take, here are the 10 most common dental emergencies. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, make an appointment with an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
1. Swollen Cheeks With Jaw Pain:
If you are suffering from extreme and long-lasting jaw pain accompanied by swelling in the cheeks, you must seek immediate dental help, as the majority of swelling and jaw pain issues are tooth-related.
There are numerous factors that contribute to jaw pain and swollen cheeks, including salivary gland infection, tooth abscess, and minor dental injuries. You must seek immediate dental treatment if the swelling is extremely painful and has not subsided on its own.
2. Tooth Abscess:
A tooth abscess can result in a life-threatening condition, especially when left unaddressed for an extended period. The most common symptoms of an abscessed tooth are swollen, puffy, or bleeding gums, extremely painful toothache, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, or the presence of raised white bumps on the gums.
If you are facing any of these oral issues, seeking emergency dental attention becomes necessary. The treatment for an abscessed tooth might involve root canal treatment in order to remove the infection or tooth extraction, based on the complexity of the issue.
3. Pericoronitis:
Pericoronitis is an oral condition usually caused by the inflammation of the gums around the wisdom teeth. The most widely occurring symptoms of pericoronitis generally include discharge from the gums. It is also characterized as a dental emergency and needs prompt attention. Treating this infection can significantly minimize the swelling in a patient’s gums and cheeks.
4. Knocked-out Tooth:
Losing a permanent tooth can result in severe oral health issues. This dental emergency can cause intense and throbbing pain for the individual. When a tooth gets knocked out, it exposes the area to infection, which can eventually spread to adjacent mouth structures and, in some cases, even to the entire body.
Moreover, a lost tooth can cause surrounding teeth to move, become loose, or eventually fall out. Missing or lost teeth can also make it difficult to eat and speak properly.
If you get your tooth knocked out due to any possible reason, seek professional dental help as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to put the tooth back in its place but make sure to be extra careful.
The sooner you do this, the better your chances are of saving a knocked-out tooth and restoring it in place. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, try to put it in a cup filled with water or milk.
5. Broken or Chipped Tooth:
If anyone has chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, he should consult an emergency dentist in order to save the form and functionality of the original teeth. For immediate care, save any pieces of your teeth. Then, rinse your mouth with warm water and put a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to prevent any bleeding.
6. Lost Filling or Crown:
Crowns and fillings repair damaged teeth and restore their optimal function and appearance. So when these break, you must get them treated in the first instance to prevent further damage or inflammation.
Crowns and fillings cover up sensitive parts of our teeth, and when they get loose or break, those areas of our mouth get exposed to bacteria that result in infection or other severe oral health issues.
7. Broken Orthodontics:
When a wire breaks in your orthodontic device and results in pain or discomfort, you should get dental care as soon as you can. Though braces are tough, having metal wires and brackets that are specifically fabricated to withstand daily wear and tear with forces of chewing and talking, they can still break.
Broken orthodontics not only causes pain or discomfort but can also slow down or even reverse progress in the teeth alignment process.
When this happens, before seeking dental help, try to push back the broken wire into a comfortable position. If this is impossible, make sure to cover the exposed end with orthodontic wax to prevent any oral damage.
8. Bleeding and Pain After a Tooth Extraction:
It is normal to experience some sort of pain and bleeding after getting your teeth extracted, but if it persists for several hours, it is time to call your orthodontist. Severe and consistent pain or bleeding might indicate serious oral complications and re-infection.
9. Oral Infections:
Oral infections typically do not subside or go away on their own. In some cases, they might indicate something is seriously wrong with your body.
If you are suffering from a dental infection, contact your dental professional immediately. You can also take some over-the-counter medications to alleviate the pain and discomfort.
Avoiding Dental Emergencies:
There are various ways to prevent dental emergencies:
- Maintain good oral hygiene routines and get regular oral check-ups.
- Wear a mouthguard while performing athletic activities.
- Wear seat belts during driving.
However, if you fall victim to a dental health issue, see a dentist as soon as possible to acquire proper oral treatment.