What is considered a Dental Emergency

A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate medical attention. According to American Family Physician, approximately 22 percent of the population has experienced dental or oral pain in the past six months.

Some dental emergencies may require immediate medical attention, while others may need a few deep breaths and some patience. It is important to know if your symptoms require you to visit your dentist or an emergency dentist near you.

Types of dental emergencies

The following are the most common dental problems that qualify a dental emergency. It also describes how you can respond to them before seeking immediate medical attention at emergency dentistry in Whitby, ON.

• Knocked-out tooth

During vigorous sports activities, one can receive a heavy blow to their oral cavity, leading to a knocked-out tooth. When this happens, please do not touch the root part of your teeth; instead, pick it by the crown side, the side you chew on, and try to put it back on your socket. If you cannot place it back, put it in a glass of fresh milk to keep it moistened. If there is no milk, place the tooth between your jawbone and tongue to keep it moist. After this, immediately seek emergency dental services to increase the chances of saving your teeth.

• Pain

Pain is a common symptom in most, if not all, dental emergencies. You can feel some pain when chewing or biting food due to a broken, chipped, or cracked tooth. Toothaches come with moderate to severe pain. Having an abscessed gum can also cause pain. If you are experiencing severe pain, it is advisable to take prescribed over-the-counter pain relievers or visit an emergency dental clinic.

• Uncontrolled bleeding

The presence of blood in your toothbrush when flossing or brushing your teeth is can that you may have gum disease or gingivitis. It can also indicate the chances of oral cancer or an advanced stage of gum disease. If you are experiencing this, it is advisable to thoroughly rinse your teeth with warm water and keep your head upright. After this visit, an emergency dental office for immediate care.

• Abscessed Gum

An abscess is pimple-like pus that develops on your tooth and can cause infection. It is a serious and life-threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. A dental abscess causes sensitivity to hot or cold food, toothaches, pain, high fever, swollen face, tender lymph nodes, and bumps on the gums. If not taken care of quickly, the infection can spread to the jaw or surrounding tissues.

• A chipped or cracked tooth

Cracked or chipped teeth are also a serious dental emergency; the damage caused affects not only the outside of your teeth but also the inside. If the fracture causes you pain, it is advisable to visit your dentist immediately. While waiting for your appointment, you can rinse your teeth with warm water or apply a cold compress to your cheek to reduce any swelling.

Importance of Emergency Dentistry

At Brooklin Village Dental Care, our dentist focuses mainly on restoring your smile. Failure to take immediate care of your dental emergency may lead to further complications. An abscessed gum, if not taken care of, can cause oral cancer. Besides, they will also control your bleeding, reduce the pain and improve the aesthetic of your teeth. This will boost your confidence at work, and you will not feel self-conscious when interacting with your friends.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are not always anticipated, but it mostly happens. Although you cannot predict when you will have a dental emergency, there might be indicators that you will have them in the future. You can reduce the risk of needing urgent care by following these preventive habits:

• Wearing a mouthguard while participating in sports reduces an injury to your teeth, face, or gums. By doing so, it prevents you from experiencing trauma or grinding your teeth.
• Regular check-ups and dental cleaning to remove food debris and plaque that may cause infection.
• Brush and floss twice a day
• Use fluoride floss to strengthen your enamel and strong bone formation.
• Do not cut things with your teeth; instead, use scissors.
• Avoid chewing hard foods or hard candy that may break your teeth