A dental emergency can happen at any time, but it doesn’t have to result in a disaster for your oral health. When you know what steps to take in the case of an urgent dental issue, you can prevent serious long-term consequences to your oral health.
Dental emergencies typically warrant professional attention from an emergency dentist, but there are also things you can do at home to manage the situation until you can be seen at a dental office.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any oral health concern that requires immediate attention. Dental emergencies can include:
- Severe toothaches
- Broken, chipped or cracked teeth
- Dislodged teeth
- Injuries to facial bones
- Soft tissue lacerations
This list is not exhaustive, however. Any problem with your smile that needs to be addressed urgently qualifies as a dental emergency.
What should I do in case of a dental emergency?
First and foremost, you should use common sense. If you’ve suffered a severe facial injury or are having extreme symptoms, like excessive bleeding or intolerable discomfort, you should initially seek care at your local emergency department.
After the initial issue has been stabilized, you can follow up with a dentist for ongoing care.
However, when the symptoms are not as severe, you can consult with an emergency dentist who has the capacity to schedule same-day appointments.
If you experience a dental emergency, you can call our office to set up an appointment. You can reach our answering service after hours, and our dentist can follow up with you and advise you how to handle the situation until you can be seen in our office.
What items should I keep on hand to address a dental emergency?
Keeping a dental first aid kit handy can help you manage a dental emergency until you can receive professional care. Such a kit can include:
- Dental preservation media and a small container to store dislodged teeth (which can also be kept in a milk, if that’s more readily available)
- Gauze to absorb bleeding
- Dental wax to cover jagged teeth edges or broken orthodontic appliances
- Cold compress to reduce swelling
- Over-the-counter painkillers to treat any discomfort
Ask your dentist if there are any other items that would be beneficial to have in your dental first aid kit.
To learn more about our services to treat dental emergencies, call our office and speak to one of our friendly staff members.
