Understanding Dental Emergencies and How to Avoid Them
Dental emergencies can be defined as issues that involve one’s teeth and the supporting structures which require immediate treatment from a relevant professional to alleviate pain or stop bleeding. Not all dental emergencies will be associated with pain, but this does not mean that they are to be taken lightly, as they can have serious life-changing effects on a person’s life.
At times, these accidents that occur result in fatal dental injuries, and the victims have to seek emergency dental services to save their injured teeth or mouthparts and return them to their normal functionality. At Hillcrest Dental Care, emergency dental care services near you, general dentistry procedures, and family dentistry services are offered under one roof in Waco, TX. Dentists working at our facility are well-trained to ensure that all the dental issues that you and your family suffer from are addressed in the right way.
Statistics released by the American Family Physician showed that at least 22% of Americans had experienced oral or dental pain in the past six months showing how common these emergencies are.
Situations That Are Not Considered as Dental Emergencies
If you have an issue that can wait for more than 24 hours or several days before you see your dentist, it cannot be termed as an emergency. However, it is important to note that sometimes critical problems can wait for quite a while until you get access to emergency medical services, but one has to care for him/herself properly. For instance, a cracked or a chipped tooth fits the description of an emergency when the fracture leaves sharp fragments, which are very painful and traumatize the inside of your mouth. If the chipped tooth doesn’t hurt or bleed excessively, it doesn’t fit the category.
When to Visit a Dental Emergency Clinic Near You?
Dentists in Waco, TX, urge you to visit your dental practitioner if you get to experience:
- Severe mouth or tooth pain
- Non-stop bleeding
- Gum infections which bring about pain and swelling
- Painful swelling around or inside your mouth
- A broken filling
- Pain to the gums or cheeks when adjusting the wire of your braces
Oral Conditions Considered as Dental Emergencies
1. Bleeding mouth – Various factors cause the mouth to bleed, a sign that may indicate gum inflammation or the presence of bacteria. Use a mild solution of salt and water to rinse blood stains from your oral cavity and then use a tea bag or a veil to try and stop the bleeding. Applying pressure for 15 to 20 minutes on your bleeding site with the aid of the tea bag or gauze should help stop the bleeding. If that does not stop the bleeding, go to your dentist on that same day.
2. Severe unexpected toothache – Toothaches are known to cause pain, eating difficulties, and can even affect a person’s concentration; therefore, this is not something that you should ignore. A sharp, unexpected, and constant throbbing pain is an indication that something is wrong. It may be a cavity, gum disease, or tooth decay.
Other examples of dental emergencies are:
- Abscessed tooth
- Cracks, chips, and fractures
- Knocked-out teeth
- Jaw pain or broken jaw
- Infected tooth
- Facial swelling
- Damaged braces
- Lost filling or crown
9 Tips on How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
1. Maintain an ideal oral care practice while at home – This means brushing your teeth after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and flossing before going to bed.
2. Remember to get a new toothbrush every three months.
3. Lower your daily sugar intake; this lowers the possibility of developing tooth decay.
4. Ensure you register with a dental office that has a good reputation.
5. Always wear a mouthguard for protection whenever you participate in aggressive sports, as this lowers the risk of getting your lips, tongue, cheek, and teeth damaged.
6. Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups and teeth cleaning or when you notice abnormal changes to the gums, mouth tissues, or the teeth.
7. Do not chew hard foods, popcorn kernels, candy, and ice because they can lead to the development of cracks in your teeth.
8. Always adhere to the recommendations given by your dentist regarding your dental treatment.
9. Please do not use your teeth for tasks that they are not made for, such as opening packages.