You have your next dentist check-up appointment written down on your calendar, but what about those emergency dental needs that arise when you’re not expecting them? That throbbing toothache that keeps you up at night, or that chipped tooth from the spur of the moment pick-up basketball game. Here are some common dental emergencies and what you can do the next time an unexpected ache, pain or tooth emergency happens:
1. Canker Sores: These painful sores can really put a damper on your mood, but with some proper care, healing can begin quickly. Keep the area clean and be gentle when brushing your teeth and rinsing. Avoid foods and drinks that could further irritate the sore, such as spicy, acidic, or sour items. Rinse with salt water once a day, and take pain medications to control the ache if necessary.
2. Bleeding Gums: If you notice that your gums have begun to bleed regularly, you may have periodontal disease, or just have irritated your gums in some way. Maintain your normal routine of brushing twice a day, flossing and keeping your tongue clean. Keep a close eye on your gums, and if the bleeding continues, contact your dentist.
3. Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth immediately with salt water and apply gentle pressure to any bleeding mouth tissue with a damp cloth. Do not remove any tooth fragments and contact your dentist immediately for an emergency dental visit.
4. Knocked Out Tooth: If the tooth has come completely out of the mouth, save the tooth by placing it in milk, water, or a saline solution. Contact a dentist immediately for an emergency dental appointment, as reinsertion of the tooth needs to happen within about an hour of the incident. Apply gentle pressure to any bleeding mouth tissue as you get to the dentist. Avoid spitting, smoking or any other activities that could cause the area to bleed more.
5. Teething Pains: All babies experience teething pains as their teeth break through the surface of the gums. Provide a baby with frozen teething rings or a cold, wet cloth to chew on to alleviate some of the pain. Use pain medications and teeth gels as directed if teething pains persist.
6. Wisdom Tooth Pain: Wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they are misaligned and causing pain. Swelling and aching are common symptoms that may indicate that wisdom teeth need to be taken out. Consult your dentist if you are experiencing pain and swelling associated with your molars. After having wisdom teeth removed, varying degrees of pain will most likely be experienced. Manage pain with pain medications, and keep the wisdom tooth area clean by rinsing with salt water and being extremely gentle when brushing.
Contact the professionals at DentaLux if you have any questions about emergency dental care. Remember that we offer the best emergency dental care in Philadelphia and are just a phone call away!
Leave a Reply