How Can You Tell That It’s a Dental Emergency?

April 1, 2022

Dental emergencies always come knocking when you least expect. You can never anticipate when you will be in one and will need our emergency dentist in Gilbert, AZ. Dental emergencies are also not selective; they cut across every age.

As you already know, you can never predict when you will be in the thick of things. Trying to figure out what to do will be even more challenging since you could be in pain, and panic will have kicked in at times. So, one of the prudent things you can do is plan. This means that you know where to go, have our dentist’s contacts, and know the difference between an emergency and a non-dental emergency.

This information is your best bet of coming out of a dental emergency with minimal issues. Therefore, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of dental emergencies.

Tell-Tale Signs of a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies happen every day and range from severe toothaches to broken or locked jaws. However, as stated earlier, not every issue you face will be a dental emergency. Some problems are just minor inconveniences that may seem like emergencies, but when you give it five minutes, you realize it’s something that can be handled later.

But some situations may seem dire, and it can be hard to tell if you need immediate care or if it’s something that will go away with home remedies. To help you decipher what to do, answer the following questions:

Have You lost a Tooth?

Teeth were meant to be with you for life. When you are in a sporting accident or fight, and there is a direct blow to your teeth, it can get knocked out. When this happens, you will need to race against time since it is highly probable that our dentist can re-insert the tooth if you come to our dental office in under an hour.

Therefore, you will need to:

Pick the tooth by the crown and not the roots. Rinse the tooth, but do it gently only to remove the dirt
Rinse your mouth and try placing the tooth back in the socket. If you find this complicated, place the tooth between the cheek and gums or in a jar of milk.
Control the bleeding by placing gauze on the socket

Do all the above with the understanding that time is not on your side. So, carry on with the first aid while contacting our dentist.

Are You Bleeding from the Mouth?

At times, you can bite your lip, cheek, or even tongue, and there could be minor bleeding. However, when the soft tissue injuries cause excessive bleeding, then it’s time for you to come and visit our dentist.

These traumas can result in excessive blood loss, so seeking immediate care is in your best interests. But you can also try to use salty water to rinse your mouth and then use gauze to stop the bleeding. After first aid, come to our dental office.

Is Your Tooth Broken, and is it Bleeding?

Even though your teeth are strong, they can get broken. Sometimes a tooth can crack and might not be painful. But if a huge chunk is broken or if the crack has reached the roots, then it can be excruciating. If there is nerve damage, you might need a root canal to sort the issue out.

Are There Signs of Tooth Infection?

When you have a cavity or cracked tooth, the structural integrity of your teeth will be compromised. Bacteria and food will have access to the inner sections of your teeth. If the crack or cavity is not addressed, you might develop a tooth infection.

Usually, there will be a swelling on your gums filled with pus. This is what is known as an abscess. So, when you come to our office, our dentist in Gilbert, AZ, will drain the pus, and then you will feel almost instant relief.

An abscess is considered a dental emergency since this infection can spread to your jawbone, under your eyes, and the rest of the body.

If you notice that you feel feverish, your gums are swollen, and you are in pain, know that you need immediate dental care.

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