Emergency Responses: Treatment of the Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can strike at any time, causing pain and discomfort that requires immediate attention. Dentists are trained to handle these situations, often allotting time each day specifically to treat them. But what constitutes a dental emergency? How are they treated?

Continue reading to see an overview of the most common dental emergencies and how dentists alleviate pain and mitigate complications.

1. Pounding Toothache

A sudden toothache can be caused by many things, including dental decay or infection. Immediate treatment can be done at home by rinsing with warm water, flossing to remove debris, and taking pain relievers. However, it’s important to call your dentist to get a proper evaluation in case the underlying cause is serious.

2. Knocked-Out Tooth

When a tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. You generally have 30 minutes to an hour to reimplant the tooth before the failure rate spikes. Retrieve the tooth, holding it by the top, rinse it gently if dirty, and place it into some milk. This will keep it viable until you get to the dentist. There, they will reinsert the tooth and use dental wire to hold it in place until it heals.

3. Cracked or Fractured Tooth

A cracked or fractured tooth may or may not be an emergency depending on the severity. However, if you’re experiencing pain, you’ll need to spring into action and call your dentist. Rinse your mouth with warm, salty water, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and avoid chewing on the affected side.

Dental bonding using resin to repair the crack or a dental crown made of porcelain are a dentist’s go-to treatments to restore the tooth.

4. Dental Abscess

An abscess is a pus-filled pimple-like bump that develops on or in your gums due to a buildup of bacteria. If left untreated it can infect the tissues around the tooth and spread further into the mouth. Once this happens, you’ll experience swelling, pain, and a bad taste in your mouth.

An abscess requires immediate attention from your dentist. To treat it, they’ll drain the abscess and perform a root canal or extraction if necessary to prevent its spread.

There is no good time for a dental emergency, but if it happens during your dentist’s regular hours, they can help. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of the issues above, call your dentist and schedule an emergency appointment. Prompt, professional dental care is essential to lift you out of pain and ensure you’ll be smiling again soon.

About the Practice

At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, you’ll find a dedicated and highly skilled team of dental professionals who share the same goal: getting you out of pain and helping you smile. If you’ve had a dental emergency, they offer same-day emergency appointments. Call (508) 234-8107 to schedule an emergency appointment or visit the website to browse their other services.