Common Dental Emergencies

Posted by Mike Young Nov 06,2022

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Some of the most common dental emergencies are described below. .

Toothache

Toothaches can be caused by a variety of issues, including tooth decay and cavities. A toothache is a sign that something is wrong with a tooth – this can be something as simple as a minor cavity or as serious as a fracture in the enamel or a nerve being affected. If left untreated, these issues can turn into bigger problems that can cause pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss. Some common causes of toothaches include:

- Cavities

- Abscesses (an infection in the gums)

- Cracked teeth (especially molars that are grinding against each other due to stress or misalignment)

- Gum disease

- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)

- Impacted wisdom teeth

- Orthodontic work causing soreness around certain areas of your mouth

- Bruxism (teeth grinding at night while you sleep)

- Dry mouth (lack of saliva) causing irritation to your gums and teeth

- Biting down on something hard when you do not have back molars

- Temperature sensitivity in some fillings

If you are experiencing a persistent toothache, you should not delay in calling your dentist for an assessment. The sooner the problem is detected and treated, the less pain and damage there will be in the long run.

It is best not to ignore a toothache – this can lead to irreversible damage to the teeth and gums. If you experience a toothache for more than a day, contact your emergency dentist for advice. Do not wait to see if the issue resolves itself on its own as this could end up leading to more serious problems. It is important to visit the dentist for a check-up at least twice a year to ensure that your teeth remain in good shape and you have good oral health. Even if you are not experiencing any pain or discomfort,

Broken or knocked out tooth

A knocked-out tooth can be replanted if you act quickly enough. First, rinse your mouth with salt water and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling until you can get to the dentist. Then, see if you can slip the tooth back into the socket yourself; however, it’s usually easier to place it between your gums and cheek to keep it in place until you get help. If this isn’t possible, you can place the tooth in a container of milk to keep the root from drying out before you can get to the dentist’s office. If you need immediate assistance, contact us as soon as possible for an emergency appointment and get the help you need!

**NOTE**

It’s important not to scrub or brush the knocked out tooth or remove any attached tissue because it may damage the tooth’s cells needed for reattachment.

-Dr. Ryan M. Pace

Dentist

The Gentle Touch Dental Care

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Author: Dr. Ryan M. Pace

Date Published: 2018-08-24T01:00:00-04:00

*If you’re looking to schedule a dentist appointment or have any questions for our practice, please contact our office in Knoxville, TN at 865-584-2503. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!*

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Knocked-out tooth (adult)

If you knock out a tooth, rinse it gently in cool water without touching the root surface. Hold the tooth by the crown and gently place it in the socket facing the correct way. If that isn’t possible, place the tooth in a container of warm milk or water and take immediately to the emergency dentist.

If the tooth can’t be saved or replanted, it will need to be replaced with an implant or bridge. While implants are the most expensive option, they’re the best option for replacing a lost tooth because they look and function like natural teeth. Bridges are more affordable but often require replacement over time. Talk to a dentist about your options before making a decision.

Dr. Smith’s has walk-in appointments available during the week. And if you’re a new patient who’s experiencing a dental emergency during office hours, we’ll get you taken care of as quickly as possible. Call us today at [PHONE].

Dental Care – Bellevue WA - Family & Cosmetic Dentist - Dr ... Care - Bellevue WA - Family & Cosmetic Dentist - Dr David R Smith DDS - Duration: 4 minutes, 54 seconds.

The Importance of Seeing Your Dentist Twice a Year for Oral ... In The Parkway | Our Practice | Pediatric Dentistry Near Me | Bellevue Children's Dentistry - Duration:

Knocked-out tooth (baby or child)

When a child’s permanent tooth is knocked out, call the dentist right away and bring the tooth with you if possible. The sooner you can get to the dentist the better chance you have of saving your child’s tooth.

If possible, try to place it back in its socket without touching the roots. This will help preserve the cells around the the root of the tooth and prevent it from drying out and dying. If you cannot replace it in the socket, hold it by the crown and place it in water or milk to keep it moist until you can get to the dentist.

If a baby tooth is knocked out of the mouth completely, your dentist will likely advise you not to replace it. Baby teeth do not serve any purpose in the mouth after the age of 12 and should be replaced at that time with a permanent tooth. If the baby tooth was knocked out prematurely, you may be able to replace the tooth with a space maintainer to prevent neighboring teeth from drifting into the space where the tooth was lost.

If a tooth is knocked out in an adult’s mouth, see a dentist as soon as possible. Adult teeth should also be handled with care when knocked-out to avoid damaging them further. Avoid touching the roots of the teeth as much as possible when handling them. The dentist may be able to re-implant the tooth if you act quickly enough. If this is not an option, it may be possible to replace the tooth with a dental implant.

If you have any questions please call your local emergency dentist today to schedule an appointment.

Author Bio

Dr. Stacey Cohen is a general dentist located in Long Island, NY. She earned her DMD degree from Temple University School of Dentistry and has been practicing dentistry for over 15 years. Her practice provides dental care for the whole family, including restorative, cosmetic, preventative, and pediatric services. To contact

Object caught between teeth

When a tooth is knocked out, immediately rinse the tooth with cold water and attempt to place it back into the socket. If this cannot be done, place the tooth in a glass of milk to preserve it until you arrive at the dentist’s office. The loss of a permanent tooth should be reported to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Permanent teeth are important for chewing and maintaining good oral health.

If a piece of food is trapped between two teeth and a child cannot dislodge the item, try flossing between the both sets of teeth to remove the item. However, if there is something stuck that cannot be removed by simple flossing, contact our office as soon as possible. Do not allow your child to eat or drink until the situation is resolved.

Tips for Recovery After Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction is one of the most common dental procedures. The dentist may recommend tooth extraction for a number of reasons. For instance, the tooth may be too damaged to repair with restorative dentistry options. Or, the tooth may be impacted, which means the dentist cannot access the tooth without causing damage to the surrounding teeth. Tooth extraction is performed with local anesthesia to numb the tooth and the area around the tooth. The dentist may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to reduce any swelling that may occur following the procedure. TAKE AN OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN RELIEVER Many patients find that their pain is significantly reduced with over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ask your oral surgeon which medication is best for your individual treatment plan. Generally, these medications will be recommended before the extraction procedure and as needed for a few days after the procedure to manage any discomfort. If your surgery was more complex and included sedation, your doctor may prescribe an additional pain medication that should be taken as directed. Schedule an appointment after you’ve been taking as prescribed to ensure you’re healing properly. If you experience abnormal swelling, bleeding, or other concerning symptoms, contact your dentist right away for further instructions. If you’re still experiencing pain after a few days, call your oral surgeon to schedule an appointment so they may determine if additional treatment is needed. -Dr. Blalock Our Oral Surgeons in Zanesville, OH At Coshocton Dental Group, our patients are our top priority. We take your comfort very seriously and offer modern solutions like tooth replacement by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. If you’re ready to schedule your first appointment, please contact us today! on Social Media When a patient requires anesthesia during an oral surgical procedure, it’s important for the patient to follow certain guidelines after surgery to reduce the risk of complications and ensure a healthy recovery. Before your surgical visit, thoroughly review the aftercare instructions provided below with your oral surgeon to ensure you understand how to care for yourself in the hours and days following your procedure. These instructions are specific to each patient based on his or her unique treatment plan and the severity of underlying oral health issues being addressed. If you have any questions before your appointment, it’s best to contact your oral surgeon directly. They SWISH WITH SALTWATER MOUTHWASH For the first day or so, you should rinse your mouth out every few hours after the procedure to prevent a dry socket from forming. To ease the discomfort and swelling that occurs afterwards, you can also drink cold beverages and eat cold foods. You can also apply a salt-water solution to the affected area to promote healing and comfort. Saltwater will both help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria, so swishing with it for around 15 minutes will help to reduce pain and speed up the healing process. However, don’t add salt directly to the water. Instead, dissolve a half teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth out with. Be sure to spit it out afterward instead of swallowing it! If saltwater isn’t soothing enough for your tooth extraction recovery, you can use a painkiller to help with the discomfort and pain. Take one or two tablets of ibuprofen or aspirin, but be sure to follow all dosing instructions on the label. If you experience any bleeding or other complications from the extraction procedure, it’s best to go straight to your dentist’s office to have him or her take a closer look. [The Ultimate Guide to Dental Care]( | [What is an Endodontist?]( [When Should I Schedule My Child’s First Dental Visit?]( [What Is Gingivitis?] LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS After a tooth extraction, it is normal to feel some pain and soreness. However, you should limit your physical activity for the first 24 hours after an extraction procedure. A sudden increase in activity can cause the blood clot to become dislodged from the treatment site. When this occurs, it increases the risk of the treated tooth becoming infected due to bacteria being introduced to the empty socket. For this reason, make sure not to chew on the empty side of your mouth for the first day after an extraction. Avoid brushing and flossing near the extraction site for the first few days after your procedure. Instead, gently rinse your mouth out with salt water to help keep the area clean. If you experience any heavy bleeding or continued pain after the first 24 hours, contact our office immediately. We will need to evaluate your condition and determine if you need to come in for further treatment. Help patients take proper care of their smile with detailed dental care information and oral health education tools. To learn more, visit [practice-name]. At our practice, we offer comprehensive care to help patients achieve healthy smiles. In addition to general dentistry treatments like teeth cleanings and fillings, we also offer advanced procedures such as dental implants and teeth whitening. For more information, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced dentists today! AVOID USING A STRAW FOR A FEW DAYS It’s normal to experience some difficulty while chewing or speaking after you’ve had a tooth pulled. These challenges should pass within a few days, but it’s important that you avoid sucking through a straw during that time. Sucking through a straw can loosen the blood clot that formed over the socket and seal it shut permanently, causing bone damage and resulting in a condition known as dry socket. Dry sockets can leave you dealing with excruciating pain and even infection. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush when you brush your teeth to avoid irritating the site. You should also rinse with salt water to keep the extraction site clean and prevent an infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage the discomfort you might experience while you heal and take care of any swelling you may experience. Contact our office if you have additional questions about recovering from an extraction. You can schedule your consultation with our team by calling our office at [phone number] or by reaching out to us online. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns! We look forward to helping you achieve your oral health goals. - The [practice name] team

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