How to Handle 5 Common Dental Emergencies

Aug 03 , 2021

Any problem involving a patient’s teeth and oral tissues that requires immediate attention and management is known as a dental emergency. The goals of an emergency dentist near you are stopping the bleeding, reducing pain and swelling, saving your natural teeth and preserving them for as long as possible.

During a dental emergency, normal functions like drinking, chewing, talking or smiling are hindered. In addition, the patient may be in severe pain or inflammation based on the cause of the dental emergency. At Monarch Dentistry, dental emergencies are diagnosed using the latest technology and suitable treatment is carried out by dental professionals.

5 Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency in Ontario, CA, may involve some of the issues discussed below.

• Broken, Cracked, Knocked Out Or Fractured Tooth

The dentist will do everything to save your natural tooth that is affected. A tooth that has been knocked out requires emergency treatment to be returned to its socket successfully. A chipped tooth that causes pain and bleeding constitutes a dental emergency. Save all the pieces, clean them well and carry them along to the dentist. Cracked or fractured teeth may require a crown to strengthen them.

• Pain

ou may experience severe or mild pain due to problems with the teeth or oral tissues. Pain may be caused by dental trauma, toothache, cellulitis, Pericoronitis or other dental issues. Severe pain that is not dulled by medication or a cool compress will require emergency treatment.
Dental pain may either be odontogenic pain or peri-radicular pain. Odontogenic pain is severe, spontaneous and throbbing pain in the dental pulp caused by temperature fluctuations. It reduces when the hot or cold beverage or food is removed from the mouth. The patient may feel this type of pain in the cheek, ipsilateral ear or temple when they have an acute dental abscess.
Periradicular pain is experienced when biting down. It is a severe pain that persists for hours and causes inflammation, fever and illness.

• Bleeding

Bleeding is considered a dental emergency that may be caused by trauma, hematological abnormality or postoperative complications. When a patient bleeds from the mouth, it may be an indication of gum disease. In addition, traces of blood in the saliva could also signify oral cancer.

• Swelling

When a patient has a swollen jaw, gums, lips, neck or palate, it is a dental emergency. It indicates a severe dental infection, trauma or inflammation that requires immediate professional attention. Swelling may be caused by trauma, inflammation or infection.
Postoperative swelling requires urgent attention for the swelling to be drained and prevent further damage. The patient should be upright and hydrated as you prepare to rush to an emergency dentist near you.

• Orthodontic Emergencies

Sometimes your orthodontic appliances may get loose, accidentally ingested or broken. An ingested orthodontic device may cause pain, bleeding or may even choke the patient to death. If the patient is conscious, try dislodging the device. Give them five blows on the back followed by abdominal thrusts. Loose or fractured appliances may protrude and irritate the surrounding soft tissues.

6 Important Steps in a Dental Emergency

• Once you have a dental emergency, contact an emergency dental care immediately. Give the dentist enough details about the dental emergency for a clear picture of what is going on. You will be advised on how to go about a first aid treatment before arriving at the ER.
• Use some clean water to rinse the mouth to remove any blood or particles of orthodontic devices.
• A non-alcoholic mouth wash may be used to kill any bacteria and disinfect the mouth.
• A cold compress may be placed on the swollen area to reduce the swelling and pain.
• Some over-the-counter pain-relieving medication may be used to relieve severe pain.
• For a knocked out, chipped, or fractured tooth, save the pieces and carry them to the dentist. Keep them moist by putting them in milk or your mouth between the cheeks and the tongue.

Tips to Minimize a Dental Emergency

• Maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing and rinsing twice a day and attend regular dental exams.
• Avoid chewing on anything hard that might fracture, break, or crack your teeth like hard candy, popcorn kernels and ice.
• Use a customized mouth guard during vigorous exercises or sports activities for maximum protection of your teeth and oral tissues.
• Protect your teeth. Do not use your teeth to open bottles or cut things.