Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Emergency

No matter how much you are particular about your oral health and dental hygiene, you are prone to dental emergencies. Even though medical emergencies happen almost all the time, not everyone is aware as to which situations qualify as emergencies. It can be more confusing when it comes to learning about dental emergencies. Team of Experts at Greenway Pediatric Dentistry answer questions frequently asked questions regarding dental emergency.

What exactly qualifies as a dental emergency?

A situation in which you experience pain, unexpected swelling and feel uncomfortable qualifies as a dental emergency. One needs to be aware that in cases of dental emergencies one can’t sit idle and hope for the situation to get better with time. Dental problems don’t fix themselves, they need to be fixed by an orthodontist. Dental emergencies can also happen in situations where you have swelling, bulges or knots on the gums.

What do you do if an object gets stuck between your teeth?

It so happens at times that while we chew food, a small piece of food gets wedged between our teeth. Usually, people try to remove it with the help of an extremely sharp object like a pin or pointed object such as a toothpick. You should avoid going for either of them as they can cause damage to your teeth. You should try to get rid of it with dental floss. In case, you are unable to remove it by floss, look for an emergency dental clinic near you.

What are the available options to treat a toothache?

You might experience acute pain in your teeth after consuming food. It happens if a piece of food gets stuck between our teeth. You can remove the piece by brushing and flossing your teeth. You can take aspirin to get relief from the pain. But if the pain only gets worse with time or continues for more than three days, look for dentistry in Houston, TX. Book an appointment and get treated.

What should you do in case of broken or chipped teeth?

In case of broken or chipped teeth, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible. It’s advised to schedule an appointment because internal areas of teeth are prone to bacterial infection. If you leave the teeth exposed, they can decay further. It’s best that your dentist assesses the situation and deals with it right away.

What are some common dental emergencies?

Some dental emergencies are mentioned as follows:

• Toothache– A toothache is a sensation of uneasiness caused due to the inflammation and infection of pulp inside a tooth. If you don’t visit the dentist immediately, toothache will only get worse with time. The dentist may recommend an x-ray to assess the situation.
• Broken or chipped teeth– If you are fond of sports such as kickboxing, wrestling, or exercising, you are prone to getting hurt which results in broken or chipped teeth. In case if you happen to fall on a concrete surface, the situation can get worse. You will experience severe pain and intense bleeding. You need to apply gauze to the affected area to stop the bleeding. You can also apply ice cubes on the outer area of the mouth that is near the broken tooth to relieve pain.
• Knocked-out tooth– In case you have a knocked-out tooth, do not try to put it in the socket all by yourself. Schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist. Keep the knocked out too in the water or milk for the time being.
• Partially dislodged tooth– In case you have a partially knocked out tooth, you need to visit your dentist as soon as possible. It’s not easy to deal with a partially dislodged tooth. It may cause severe pain. It’s better to apply ice cubes on the outer surface of the mouth. It will act as a painkiller.

There are other situations in which you might lose a filling, lose crown or experience soft-tissue injuries. In cases of such dental emergencies, visiting an orthodontist is the most appropriate option.