Dental Emergencies and How to Address Them

Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, causing significant discomfort, pain, bleeding, and anxiety. Knowing how to manage your symptoms promptly and find the proper dental care is crucial for quick relief and on-time treatments. In this article, let’s explore the various dental emergencies and how to handle them.

Common Dental Emergencies and First-Aid Tips

1. Severe tooth pain

Pain in any part of your mouth often indicates something is wrong. In most cases, severe tooth pain is associated with tooth decay, dental trauma, or advanced gum disease. Besides alleviating pain, visiting an emergency dentist near you will help address the underlying cause to prevent further complications.

As you wait for professional care, below are some remedies you can try:

• Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Apply a cold compress to minimize the pain.
• If something is stuck between the teeth, try flossing gently to remove it and alleviate your pain.
• Saltwater can help reduce infections and swelling, minimizing discomfort.

2. Dental trauma

Tooth trauma can cause dental damage like chips, cracks, breaks, fractures, and knock-outs. These injuries can cause additional issues like swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. Common tooth trauma and emergency dental procedures remedies include:

• Visit an emergency dentist near you. Immediate dental care is essential to save your tooth and prevent long-term damage. The dentist can restore the tooth to the socket or repair damages.

As you wait for professional care, consider:

• Knocked-out tooth. If your tooth has fallen off, take it by the crown. Then gently rinse it with water without scrubbing. If possible, try to reinsert it in the socket and bite it down gently. If not, preserve the tooth in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist.
• Cracks, chips, and breaks. Take any pieces of the tooth and rinse them gently and preserve them. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
• To minimize pain, take pain medications like ibuprofen.
• Apply a cold compress on the cheek.
• Place and bite on a gauze pad to minimize bleeding.

3. Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a painful infection characterized by a pus-filled painful pimple or bump in the gums or at a tooth’s root. Sometimes an abscess is accompanied by side effects like bad breath, swelling, severe pain, and fever. Immediate treatment is essential to remove and stop the spread of infections. As you wait for professional care, below are remedies for dental abscesses and how to manage the pain:

• Saltwater rinses. Make a warm saltwater solution and rinse your mouth. severally. This helps reduce swelling and drain out the pus.
• Over-the-counter medications. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories drugs can help minimize pain and discomfort.

4. Broken or lost dental restoration and temporary solutions

Sometimes a filling, crown, or bridge can fall out or break, causing significant discomfort, oral injuries, or leaving your tooth vulnerable to further damage. Immediate care is essential to restore or repair the restoration and address any injuries. While waiting for professional help, consider the following remedies:

• Rinse with salt water can help minimize to minimize infections and swelling.
• Bite down on a gauze pad or cotton ball to minimize bleeding.
• Take pain relievers like ibuprofen to minimize discomfort.
• Use dental wax to cover sharp edges that irritate or hurt your oral tissues.
• You can use dental cement to protect loose or damaged restorations.

5. Emergency orthodontic treatment and injury prevention

Various factors, like accidents, can cause your brackets to loosen or break. You shouldn’t try to repair yourself as it can lead to further damage or oral injuries. Instead, follow the following steps:

• Emergency orthodontic care. Contact your orthodontist or dentist for proper adjustments.

In the meantime, try the following remedies:

• Apply orthodontic wax to cover protruding wires or brackets.
• Use a clean pencil eraser and gently push a loose wire back to position.
• Take pain medications like ibuprofen to minimize discomfort.
• Bite down on a gauze pad to reduce pain.

Tips for Preventing Dental Emergencies

While not always preventable, below are some tips for minimizing the risk of developing dental emergencies:

• Brush and floss regularly. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Use an antimicrobial or fluoride mouthwash.
• Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and bruxism.
• Avoid damaging habits like using your teeth as a tool.
• Avoid or limit hard or sticky foods.
• Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

Visit Our Office for Emergency Dentistry in Claremont, NH

Are you looking for an emergency dentist? Contact and book a appointment with our dentist at Claremont Dental Group to book your appointment today.