A dental emergency is any type of oral trauma that results in a serious injury that needs immediate treatment. Dental emergencies range in type, severity and cause. Some dental emergencies such as cavities and tooth decay can be self-inflicted due to poor dental hygiene choices or circumstances. Others are caused by external traumas and injuries to the mouth. Dental emergency care is necessary in all cases of oral injuries.
The following is a list of the most common types of dental emergencies we treat at our clinic.
Any number of factors can result in a chipped or cracked tooth. Whether it’s an already weakened tooth structure, biting down too hard on crunchy foods, or an oral injury it’s important to seek out emergency dental treatment immediately. After contacting your local dentist, rinse your mouth out with lukewarm water and apply a cold compress to the part of your face where the injury occurred. This will help bring down the swelling until you get to the dentist.
Crowns and fillings are designed to reinforce the weakened structure of the tooth to which they’re affixed. Broken or lost crowns and fillings are a serious matter that should be dealt with swiftly to prevent further damage or infection. If possible, place the broken piece in a zip-lock bag and bring it with you to your emergency dental appointment. The dentist may be able to reattach it if it’s a crown.
Toothaches and sensitivity are usually symptoms of underlying dental problems. It’s always a good idea to discuss any abnormalities or pain you’re experiencing in your mouth with your dentist so they can investigate the matter, identify the problem and treat it accordingly.
Oral soft tissue is any part of the mouth that excludes your teeth and other bone structures. This includes your lips, tongue, gums and the inside of your cheeks. Depending on the type of injury it is you may be referred to a specialist or the emergency room at your local hospital.
Experiencing some symptoms such as bleeding, pain, and swelling immediately following a tooth extraction is perfectly normal. However, these symptoms should usually subside after a few hours. If the problems are persisting and you are still experiencing pain or bleeding, then you should contact your dentist right away. In the meantime, place clean gauze over the affected area and bite down hard on it to help stop the bleeding. Don’t drink or eat anything until it’s properly treated and you get the greenlight from your dentist.
A fallen tooth is arguably one of the most traumatic dental injuries you can experience. Usually caused by an external blunt blow to the face or a severe infection, fallen teeth need to be treated right away. Locate the fallen tooth if possible and place it inside a bag to take to the dentist. If it’s in good condition, the emergency care dentist may be able to replace it.
At Princeview Dental Group, one of the services we offer is emergency treatment during our regular office hours. We’ve treated many different types of dental injuries and emergencies over our 25+ year tenure. Contact us today to learn more.
From a young age, we are told that proper teeth alignment is a sign of…
To prevent serious dental health issues there is most to do than just brush and…
Living with one or several missing teeth due to hypodontia can be an emotional rollercoaster…
Children are inspired to take up sports as they watch their favourite athletes compete on…
Approximately one in 8,000 people are affected by Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI). Those diagnosed with this…
Orthodontic appliances are designed to correct various dental issues such as gaps, crooked teeth, over…