It’s totally normal to panic if, say, you’re playing a pickup game of basketball and an accidental elbow blow sends blood spurting out of your mouth and a tooth flying away. But you know the old saying: knowledge is power. Knowing more about common dental emergencies and how they’re treated can help you maintain your composure, ease your anxiety, and determine if urgent care is necessary.
Severe Pain
A sudden or severe toothache can indicate a cavity, infection, cracked tooth, or another underlying problem. Pain that is persistent or accompanied by swelling should be evaluated promptly.
Treatment depends on the cause. A cavity may require a filling, while an infected tooth may need root canal treatment. In some cases, an extraction may be necessary if the tooth cannot be restored, though that is usually a dentist’s last resort.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out is a serious dental emergency! If this happens, get yourself and your avulsed tooth to a dentist right away. Only handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse away any dirt that might have gotten on it and, if possible, keep the tooth moist.
Depending on the circumstances and how quickly you receive treatment, your dentist may be able to reinsert and stabilize the natural tooth. Follow-up treatment may be necessary to help preserve it.
Fractured Teeth
A tooth can chip or break after an injury on a job site or during a ball game, or from something as simple as biting down on a smokehouse almond! Even if the damage isn’t painful, it’s important to have the tooth examined.
Minor chips that don’t cause any pain generally aren’t considered a dental emergency, though you should schedule an appointment within the next few days or weeks. Small chips may be repaired with dental bonding or another cosmetic restoration.
More extensive fractures may require a crown or root canal treatment, depending on whether the inner portion of the tooth has been affected.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that can cause a pocket of pus to form around a tooth or in the gums. Symptoms can include severe pain, swelling, fever, a bad taste, and swollen lymph nodes.
An abscess requires prompt dental treatment. Your dentist may drain the infection and address its source with a root canal or extraction. Antibiotics may be prescribed in certain circumstances, particularly when the infection has spread or systemic symptoms are present.
A Quick Note on Preventing Emergencies
Like the wise old-timer once said, “You can’t stop what’s coming.” However, there are 3 simple pieces of advice to keep in mind if you want to do your best to avoid a dental emergency in the first place:
- Take good care of your teeth at home. Brush twice and floss once every day.
- See your dentist once every 6 months for a checkup and cleaning.
- Wear a custom mouthguard provided by a dental professional if you play sports.
Prompt treatment can often prevent a dental emergency from becoming a more complicated problem. Knowing what to do and doing it quickly can make a significant difference in protecting your smile.
About the Practice
Accidents can happen no matter how careful you are or how well you care for your teeth. We’re ready for you in your time of need at Orange Place Family Dentistry in Beachwood with same-day appointments for emergency patients and caring, experienced dentists, Dr. Jed Koops and Dr. Thanh Mollica, to give you the treatment you need. Don’t hesitate to call us at (216) 464-2448 if you’re in pain or schedule your appointment online.