Emergency Dentistry: What Are the Common Signs and How Can You Prevent Them
When dental trauma occurs, it is vital to visit an emergency dentist near you for immediate treatment. However, not all traumas warrant a trip to the dentist as they can be handled at home. Knowing the difference between the accidents that require urgent dental care and those that don’t is important. It will save you time and energy of going to the dentist. In this post, we list some of the common dental emergencies, how you can handle and prevent them.
What Are the Common Dental Signs You Need Urgent Care?
The common signs to watch out for include:
- Toothache
Tooth pain is a common problem, but it is usually a sign of tooth decay or fracture. Toothache occurs in different varieties; some can be mild and others severe. Mild tooth pain can be handled at home with a few remedies. However, if you have a severe and persistent toothache, it is time to consider emergency dentistry in Richmond Hill, ON.
Avoid using pain medication without consulting the dentist because some can cause inflammation and worsen the situation. You can use a cold compress on the affected area as you come to the dental clinic.
- Loose and knocked-out teeth
Loose teeth in adults are a cause of concern because it is often a sign of a serious dental problem. Extensive tooth decay is the primary cause of wiggly teeth. However, your teeth may also get loose after an accident or injury to the mouth. At times, wiggly teeth may not cause pain, but you need to get urgent dental treatment.
You also need immediate treatment If the teeth get accidentally knocked out. Teeth can get partially or completely avulsed, but avoid pulling them. Instead, try pushing the teeth to the socket (for partially knocked-out teeth). If the teeth are completely dislodged, preserve them in milk solution and visit the dentist within an hour after the accident occurs.
- Gum bleeding
While seeing gum bleeding after flossing may appear normal, it is not, and it could be a sign of gum disease. If you notice persistent and recurring bleeding, often accompanied by pain, get emergency dental care. Untreated gum disease can spread, cause the gums to recede, and expose the roots. Advanced gums disease causes the supporting bone to deteriorate and increases the risk of decay.
You can rinse the mouth with warm water mixed with salt to ease the pain and reduce inflammation.
- Swollen jaw
As the bacterial infection spreads, it can block the salivary glands causing the jaw to swell. Salivary gland infection can also cause a bad taste, fever, and difficulty swallowing. If you notice these symptoms, visit an emergency dental clinic for treatment. Blocked salivary glands not only cause jaw swelling but also affect your oral health. Saliva cleans your mouth of food particles that can cause decay.
- Dental abscess
An abscessed tooth can cause pain, swelling, inflammation, redness, fever, bad taste, and pus. It is caused by a trauma or untreated cavity and gum disease. Dental abscess does not clear without treatment, and you may need surgery to drain the pus and treat the infection.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Although dental accidents occur without warning, you can reduce the severity with these tips:
- Maintain excellent oral care hygiene by brushing every day, especially after meals. Make sure you bush for at least two minutes with a soft toothbrush that can access all corners of the mouth. Also, change your toothbrush every three months, as a worn-out one cannot clean the teeth properly.
- Get regular teeth cleaning at least once or twice a year for the dentist to remove buildup tartar.
- Reduce your consumption of sugary foods, because the bacteria in the mouth feed and break the foods, producing an acid solution. The acid attacks the enamel and makes it more prone to developing cavities.
- Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sport to prevent injuries to the teeth and gums.
Take Action
Visit Richmond Dental Care for immediate treatment when an dental emergencies occurs to prevent any damage and complications.