An Overview of Oral Emergencies
A dental emergency refers to any issue that involves the teeth and supporting tissues and requires immediate attention. Dental health is crucial to our general body health. When your mouth has an issue, important things like eating, drinking, talking, or even smiling become hard. A dental emergency may or may not involve pain. When you visit emergency dentists in Calgary, SW, they will determine the type and cause of the problem and treat it appropriately.
9 Types of Dental Emergencies
- Pain
Pain is the body’s way of alerting you to a problem in the area that hurts. The degree of pain a patient experiences determines the severity of the dental emergency. The patient may experience pain when biting down. This pain may be caused by; an abscess, a cracked tooth, or teeth grinding. An ice pack placed on the sensitive area and some pain-reducing medication will ease the pain as you rush to the dentist.
- Swelling
Swelling in the mouth indicates a severe dental infection requiring immediate medical attention. The patient must stay in an upright position and take fluids that keep him hydrated.
- Knocked out tooth
A knocked-out tooth should be positioned back in the mouth within 30 minutes. Once a tooth is knocked out of the mouth, it should be retrieved immediately. If possible, you can rinse the dirt off and place it back in the mouth as it was previously. If not, it should be put in a glass of milk to keep it moist until the dentist can put it back.
- Abscessed gums
An abscess indicates a bacterial infection in the gums or tooth. An abscess may look like a whitish, red, clear, or yellow pimple on the gum. It should not be popped but rushed to the dentist immediately. An abscess to the tooth will require drainage, a root canal, or antibiotics.
- Soft tissue injury
The tongue or lips may be bitten or cut severely during an accident. The area should be cleaned gently with some water if possible before a visit to the dentist. The dentist will examine the mouth to determine whether there is a further injury to the jaw, gums, or teeth.
- Mouth sores
Painful mouth sores are a dental emergency. Canker sores or sores caused by foot, hand, and mouth disease should be treated immediately. Gum diseases may also cause sores to develop in the oral cavity.
- Infections
Infections in the mouth are a cause to rush to the dentist since they require medical attention to heal.
- Bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth may be an indication of periodontal disease. If your saliva has some traces of blood, it may be a sign of cancer or severe gum disease.
- Tooth sensitivity
Extreme temperatures or other underlying issues may cause tooth sensitivity. The patient may have extreme sensations on the teeth or tooth when they bite or chew certain foods. After examination, the dentist may prescribe toothpaste that reduces teeth sensitivity.
- Broken tooth
A tooth that is slightly chipped does not constitute a dental emergency. You schedule an appointment at your convenience. A tooth that has broken and a large portion of it falls off may cause pain and bleeding. This will require a prompt visit to the dentist. Do not bite or chew on the tooth before seeing the dentist.
Steps to Take When in Need of Emergency Dental Care
Contact your dentist immediately. If they are not available, you can look up an emergency dentist in Calgary, SW. This dentist will advise you on how to take care of your oral health before reaching the dental clinic.
- Give as much detail as possible concerning the dental emergency.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling in the area.
- Take some pain-relieving medication if the pain is too much.
- Rinse the mouth with clean water or non-alcoholic mouth wash.
- Keep the knocked-out tooth moist by putting it in milk or placing it in your mouth.
Tips to Minimize a Dental Emergency
Do not chew hard candy, ice, popcorn kernels, or anything that might crack or break your teeth.
- When taking part in recreational activities, put on a mouthguard.
- Cut things using a pair of a cutting tool, not your teeth.
- Regular dental care should be observed.
Make regular visits to My Dental Clinic when you need standard dental services.