Experiencing a dental problem or injury can be traumatic. At that moment, it is vital to determine if you need emergency care. Your first actions after a dental injury can lead to saving your tooth or teeth. How you react immediately after can affect the long-term results of the injury. Not all dental problems constitute an emergency, and it is vital to understand your options. You need to know what to do in a dental emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies

Common dental emergencies include a knocked-out tooth, a bad toothache, and an infected tooth. Mouth trauma or injury, cuts, and a cracked or broken tooth require emergency care. While some toothaches may not be emergencies, take them seriously. Pain is always an indication of a dental problem that needs attention. It is necessary to call your dentist if you have a toothache. The dentist can help you decide if the situation calls for emergency care.

Causes Of Dental Emergencies

Several situations can cause dental emergencies. The causes include car accidents, riding accidents, sports injuries, falls, work-related accidents, and more. Playing at home or in school can result in a dental emergency. Eating hard foods or using your teeth to open bottles can cause chipping or breaking teeth. An oral infection can cause a tooth abscess, and it needs immediate treatment. Dental injuries can result in problems if not treated immediately.

What To Do In A Dental Emergency

It is vital to call your dentist immediately if you experience a dental injury. The dentist can instruct you on the steps to follow to save or preserve your tooth or teeth. If your tooth has been knocked out, put it in milk to preserve it. Fill the tooth socket with a cotton ball or gauze and get to the dentist immediately. If a tooth or teeth break, rinse the pieces and save them if possible. Contact the dentist immediately if you have a toothache, pain from a crown, or tooth abscess. The dentist might recommend OTC painkillers to ease the pain.

Experiencing Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to the soft tissue lead to bleeding and swelling. A cut to the tongue can cause severe bleeding, though it can heal itself. Other soft tissue injuries affect the gums, lips, and cheeks. Rinsing the mouth with mild salt water can help control the bleeding. You can also use a cold compress to control the bleeding. If the bleeding continues, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing Permanent Damage

Never ignore injuries to the teeth and gums. Dental issues are potentially serious and may need emergency care. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of developing permanent damage. This could result in more costly and extensive dental treatment down the line. To prevent permanent damage, treat dental injuries by going to an emergency room. Care for the dental injury until you get to the dentist. Dental practices usually provide emergency numbers that you can contact to receive emergency dental care after regular hours. Find out if you need urgent dental care, emergency dental care available. Contact Inspired Dental in Windermere, Florida at (321) 603-3035 for more information.