6 Most Common Dental Emergencies and How to Avoid Them

A dental emergency is any situation that puts your ability to eat, speak, or live comfortably at risk. This can include toothaches, broken teeth, and infections. In these situations, you should always seek out your dentist immediately. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies and how to prevent them.

Toothache

This is one of the most common dental emergencies and is often a symptom of an underlying issue like decay or gum disease. A toothache can be accompanied by pain when biting or chewing, bleeding gums, swelling around the infected tooth, and fever. The best way to treat a toothache at home is to rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day until you can see your dentist.

The saltwater will help reduce inflammation that’s contributing to your discomfort. You’re advised to contact your dentist for an appointment if days pass and the pain hasn’t subsided—or if it becomes unbearable in the meantime (in which case you should seek a professional emergency dentist North York immediately).

Broken teeth

A broken tooth can be caused by injury to your mouth for more details contact emergency dentist, as well as by biting down on hard and crunchy foods. In fact, this is one of the most common dental emergencies! Take care when eating these types of foods to keep your teeth safe and intact. Also, if you play sports that could result in a blow to the face, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from breakage while playing.

Finally, brushing too hard with a stiff-bristled toothbrush can also cause damage to your teeth, so it’s important to choose a soft-bristled brush and use gentle strokes when brushing your teeth.

When you have broken or cracked a tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible for treatment. If the crack is severe enough that it reaches all the way down into the root of the tooth, extraction may be necessary. Your dentist will need to assess which course of action is best for each unique case.

If you have a misaligned bite or other jaw issues that put excess pressure on your teeth when biting down, this could also result in one or more broken teeth over time. For example, grinding or clenching your teeth can wear down enamel more quickly than normal. Talk with your dentist about any issues that are causing extra stress on your mouth; he or she can provide treatment options such as botox injections (to stop grinding), braces (to correct crookedness), and oral splints (for jaw joint pain).

Lost filling or crown

Of all the issues that you can experience with your teeth, losing a crown or filling poses the greatest threat to your tooth’s health. A crown covers an entire tooth and holds it in place, making it one of the most important structures in our mouths. If you lose yours, you should call your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment.

Before you go to bed at night, take a look at each of your teeth in the mirror and make sure that they are all intact. If any of them feel loose or if you lose one unexpectedly while eating or talking, do not panic! You can put some clove oil on a Q-tip and use it as a numbing agent if there is any pain or sensitivity as a result of losing the crown. If possible, try placing the filling back into position until you can see your dentist. Most importantly: avoid biting down on hard foods until you get it fixed.

Broken orthodontics

The most common cause of broken orthodontics is eating hard foods and/or chewing ice. These foods include (but are not limited to): raw apples, carrots, celery, corn on the cob, and candy. If you find that the wire or bracket of your orthodontic appliance is poking you, cover the area with dental wax until you can be seen by your dentist. If the wire cannot be placed back into its normal space with a pencil eraser (or gently by hand), use a fingernail clipper to trim it as close as possible to your tooth.

Abscess

A dental abscess can be defined as a pocket of pus that forms near the root of a tooth. The most common causes are a traumatic injury or extensive tooth decay. An untreated abscess can cause serious damage to your oral health and overall health, so it’s important to see your dentist for treatment immediately.

Most commonly, an abscess will need to be drained by your dentist and treated with antibiotics or root canal therapy. In some cases, a patient might require extraction if their tooth cannot be saved by root canal therapy or another appropriate treatment plan.

We recommend regular at-home maintenance and preventative care from your dentist in order to help curb the likelihood of dental emergencies like an abscessed tooth.

Bleeding and pain after a tooth extraction

After your tooth extraction, the dentist will likely have you bite down on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes before having you leave. After that, make sure to do the following:

• Avoid hot liquids like coffee or soup for at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction. Hot liquids can loosen the blood clot over your wound.
• Avoid tobacco and alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours after your tooth extraction. Tobacco and alcohol can also loosen the blood clot over your wound.
• Limit strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after tooth extraction. This includes lifting heavy objects or doing vigorous exercise or housework that might disrupt the blood clot over your wound.

Takeaway

Most of us have heard the old saying “a stitch in time saves nine.” It means that if you get a small problem at the dentist fixed on time, it won’t become a bigger issue later on. This concept is especially true for dental emergencies—like infections or broken teeth—that can show up at any moment.

To prevent any issues, you should make regular dental visits to your dentist. Don’t wait until there’s an emergency, because it may take several appointments before one is found and then treated. You’ll be more likely to avoid developing a serious condition if you catch it early and treat it right away.