Dental emergencies come in a variety of forms. One trait they, unfortunately, virtually all share is some significant physical discomfort. Today, we’re identifying the signs of various dental emergencies and what to do if you encounter them.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Not all oral or dental pain calls for emergency care. How do you know if you’ve got an emergency on your hands? Here are a few signs:
- Severe and persistent toothache that’s unresponsive to all at-home pain relief methods
- Swelling of the gums or jawbone
- Unexplained bleeding from the gums
- Loose teeth in adults
- Broken dental crowns
- Loss of a tooth, whether due to traumatic impact or decay
How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies
In a dental emergency, it’s essential to keep as calm and cool as possible. Knowing what to do can be a huge help. Here’s a look at how to handle a couple of common yet crucial dental emergencies:
Severe and persistent toothache. Most toothaches can be temporarily managed with at-home pain-relief techniques like ice packs, salt water rinses, and over-the-counter painkillers. However, emergency care should be sought if a toothache is sudden, persistent, and severe.
Tooth loss in adults. No matter its cause, tooth loss in adults simply isn’t normal. It can represent a serious dental emergency. Fortunately, in this situation, knowing what to do and acting quickly can help minimize the risk of infection at the site of the lost tooth and the surrounding gums and even save the tooth itself! To maximize the chance of saving the natural tooth, make sure to:
- Pick up the lost tooth without touching the root
- Rinse the tooth without scrubbing, especially near the root
- Re-place the tooth in the gum if possible; if not, place it in a container of milk
- Get to a dentist as quickly as possible!
Effectively and Efficiently Tackling Dental Emergencies in Jonesboro, AR
If you’re in the Jonesboro area and need immediate emergency dental care or are simply looking to be prepared, dentist Dr. Brett Burris and the Dental Solutions team are here to provide top-quality care in your moment of need! Contact us today for emergency dental care.