When it comes to medical emergencies, most people are able to correctly identify when it’s time to seek emergency medical care. Conversely, the average joe or jane is way less decisive when it comes to dental emergencies. Most underestimate the severity of their ailment or seek treatment from their primary care doctor. Overlooking signs of an oral or dental problem could lead to infection and losing teeth.
So, it’s important to act and address your dental concern, even if the signs are subtle.
Here are the most common dental emergencies that should always result in a call to your dentist or a trip to an emergency dental clinic.
Common Dental Emergencies
Toothache Despite being extremely common, toothaches can constitute a dental emergency. Toothaches, while not typically life-threatening, can be extremely painful to the point of not being able to function in your everyday life.
Never ignore a toothache; they are a sign that something is wrong! Putting off going to the dentist due to a toothache will only exacerbate whatever is causing the pain. Waiting out a toothache can lead to losing the tooth, an abscess in your gums and jaw, or even sepsis in extreme cases.
Not only are these dental issues costly to treat, but they can also be life-threatening if ignored.
Cut Gum, Lip, Cheek, or Tongue Your local emergency dentist is an expert in treating all ailments of your mouth, including cuts. A dentist is better suited to stitch any cut to your gums, lips, cheeks, or tongue than an emergency room doctor. Gum and tongue stitches are particularly difficult and require the skills of an expert.
However, if the bleeding from a cut in your mouth is significant, will not stop with applied pressure, or you begin to feel faint, immediately go to the nearest emergency room.
Loose or Dislodged Permanent Tooth If one of your permanent adult teeth suddenly becomes loose or is dislodged, whether from a physical blow or seemingly no reason, it’s time to immediately go to a dentist! When it comes to loose or dislodged permanent teeth, time is of the essence; the sooner you get in to see a dentist, the more likely it is that you might keep your tooth!
If your tooth is dislodged, try putting it back in the socket and holding it in place with gauze. If that’s not possible or too painful, place the tooth in a baggie and try to touch it as little as possible. Do not eat or drink until talking to your dentist! If your tooth is simply loose do everything you can to not wiggle it! Stick to liquids, ideally just water, until you get in to see your dentist. Any pressure or movement on the loose tooth will just make the tooth more likely to fall out.
Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth Most people think a chipped, cracked or broken tooth is not a reason for an emergency trip to the dentist but tooth damage of any sort needs to be seen by a professional immediately. Any breakage through the enamel of your tooth opens up the inside of your tooth to bacterial infection, which could lead to the loss of your entire tooth.
How To Get Emergency Dental Care
Considering many people experiencing common dental emergencies don’t recognize how pressing seeing a dentist is, it’s unsurprising that they also don’t know how to seek immediate dental care. If you or someone you care for is experiencing a dental emergency, you should first call your regular dentist to receive treatment or advice for the next step.
If they can’t see you immediately, you don’t have a regular dentist, or a dental emergency has occurred outside of the regular office hours of your dentist, then it’s time to find your nearest emergency dental clinic. Like an emergency room, an emergency dental clinic will be able to provide you with immediate care in the case of a dental emergency.
Regular Dental Checkups
Seeing your dentist regularly is highly recommended for good reasons. It makes a difference in your overall health and quality of life and can help keep disease at bay. Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp provides dental care for the entire family and strives to keep mouths healthy and bright by addressing issues right away.
Our Lakes area dental clinic provides general dentistry, the latest in cosmetic dentistry and dental treatments, as well as gum rejuvenation for those with gum recession. If you have questions or are having a dental concern, call to schedule a Free Dental Consultation. Don’t wait, we have what your mouth needs!