Dental emergencies can take many forms. The best and worst thing about virtually all dental emergencies is that they’re generally quite tough to miss, This, unfortunately, is because they tend to bring with them a good bit of physical discomfort. Today, we’re looking at some of the common examples of dental emergencies, and what you should do to ensure minimal pain and speedy recovery.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Not all dental discomfort requires emergency care. The fact is that most cases of dental pain are not actually emergencies. However, there are certain foolproof indicators someone is in need of emergency care:
- A severe and persistent toothache
- Swelling of the jawbone or the gums
- Unexplained bleeding from the gums
- Loose teeth in adults
- A broken dental crown
- Loss of a permanent tooth, whether due to trauma or decay
What To Do When Faced with Various Dental Emergencies
- Severe toothache. It’s worth mentioning that no toothache will ever simply “run its course and go away.” That said, not every toothache is an emergency. Most can be minimized until you can get to the dentist with an icepack, a saltwater rinse, or over-the-counter pain medicine. However, pain that is sudden, unexplained, severe, and unrelenting typically requires emergency care.
- Swelling of the gums or the jawbone. Swelling in the jawbone or gums is usually a sign that emergency care is in order, as these are signs of infection that can cause tooth loss and even spread to other parts of the body.
- Unexplained bleeding from the gums. Similarly, bleeding from the gums for no apparent reason is often a sign of an infection or dental abscess (pocket of pus around a tooth) that, if untreated, can result in tooth loss.
- Permanent tooth loss. Whether due to traumatic impact or untreated decay, tooth loss of permanent teeth is never normal. On the bright side, in the event of the loss of a permanent tooth, immediate action can to save the tooth! When faced with such an emergency:
- Recover the tooth without touching its root
- Rinse the tooth without scrubbing
- If possible, re-place it in its socket in the gum; otherwise, place it in a container of milk or water
- Get to a dentist ASAP!
Emergency Dentist in Smyrna, GA
If you’re looking for a dentist in the Smyrna, GA area to provide you and your family with top-quality emergency care in moments of need, dentist Dr. Ryo Hosaka and the team at Hosaka Family Dental are here to help!