Dental emergencies can arise anywhere at anytime and injuries to the mouth can cause teeth to be knocked out, broken, or cracked. Receiving emergency dental care in a timely manner in situations like that can make a huge difference between losing and saving a tooth. Any emergency dental problem should not be ignored since it can lead to serious problems. Ignoring them could potentially increase the risk of permanent damage to the tooth and the gums, plus the need for more extensive and costly treatment in the long-run.
The severity of the injury or the location of the tooth will determine whether it calls for emergency dental care. To some extent, the degree of the pain experienced by the patient can be enough to call for an emergency dentist in Brunswick.
Some examples of dental emergencies include:
- Nerve damage
- A big piece of the tooth has been damaged or knocked out
- Swelling in the face
- Uncontrolled bleeding caused by trauma to the mouth
- Losing a dental restoration like a dental implant or filling
- Extreme tooth pain or pain in the gums, jaws, or mouth
When to Call an Emergency Dentist?
Knowing what kind of situation calls for an emergency dental care is crucial to ensure that your family’s oral health is taken care of and that you save time and money from making unnecessary trips to the emergency clinic. Accidents are unavoidable, and they could happen at any time of the day or night. Certain oral trauma or injuries may need urgent care, while others can wait until normal operating hours. Here are some scenarios:
Bleeding Gums
While they seem minor, bleeding gums are a genuine red flag and need immediate dental care since they can be a sign of something more serious. Going to the dentist will help identify the root cause of the problem and provide an appropriate treatment plan. Bleeding gums are also an early sign of periodontal disease. Read here to learn how to prevent it becoming a major problem.
Persistent and Severe Toothache Trouble
Toothache is one of the most common reasons people seek dental treatments. When there is pain, you can first thoroughly rinse your mouth with lukewarm and salted water. This solution helps reduce swelling and pain.
If you have a swollen mouth, you can apply a cold compress. Avoid putting any kind of painkiller or aspirin against the gum near the affected tooth since it could potentially burn the gum tissues. This kind of pain should not be ignored, especially if it is persistent and extremely painful. Contact your dentist immediately.
Facial Pain and Tissue Injury
Lacerations, puncture wounds, tears to the lips, tongue, mouth, and cheeks or any type of injury inside the mouth are considered tissue injuries and need immediate dental care. If you experience any of those, clean the affected area as soon as possible with warm water.
If you have a bleeding tongue, you can do first-aid by putting pressure using gauze. Call an oral surgeon or visit the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. To help relieve any facial pain associated with a facial injury, you can take acetaminophen, but make sure to follow the directions on the label. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin as an emergency treatment since they are anticoagulants, which could lead to further bleeding.
Many dental emergencies can be avoided by having regular check-ups with your dentist in Brunswick. However, since emergencies can happen anytime, it is important to be prepared as well, and do not panic.
If you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Brunswick, give us a call to help you.