Unlike scheduling a visit to the dentist or the doctor, dental emergencies will leave you with little time to seek help. They are spontaneous and in most cases occur at the wrong time. Dental emergencies could result from injuries sustained during a sporting activity, an accident on the road, or an acute infection. All these situations require the attention of an emergency dentist. In this article, you will learn about some situations that warrant the attention of an emergency dentist.
1. Chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth
A sudden impact might lead to either your teeth getting broken or even being knocked out. Such impact might emanate from an unexpected accident such as tripping and falling on the ground during a sporting event, running into a door or sustaining a massive punch on the mouth in a freak fight; whatever the reason, you might end up losing a tooth or two. You will need to urgently call in an emergency dentist as fast as possible. In worst-case scenarios, you might end up losing a lot of blood unless emergency care is provided. If you can, place the tooth in a glass of milk or water immediately, as it will help save the tooth in case the dentist recommends reinstallation.
2. Unbearable Toothache
Pain is a way your body alerts you that something is wrong. That is why a toothache should not be ignored. An intermittent toothache can be managed by going for over-the-counter prescriptions. However, if the pain does not abate over time, then you should call an emergency dentist. This is because pain might be an indication of an infection or tooth decay and might be an underlying factor for serious problems such gum disease. The dentist will be able to remove the decayed area and place a filling or perform a root canal treatment to treat an infection.
3. Dental abscesses
They usually appear as large swellings on your gum and can be quite painful. Smaller ones may appear as a small pimple. This should be rinsed with warm water. It is also important to see a dentist as soon as possible. If not immediately treated, dental abscess can result in swelling and can be very painful.
Emergencies will never appear at your convenience; having a dentist on call will come in handy when a dire situation arises. If you have no one on call, do not hesitate to seek help from the nearest dentist.
Share21 November 2017
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.