If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that dental issues such as toothache, damaged teeth, and bleeding gums are a nightmare to deal with. The only aspect that can make this type of situation worse is having it turn into a painful emergency.
No matter how good your oral hygiene routine is, nothing can prepare you for the pain and inconvenience that a dental emergency can cause. When this happens, locals turn to the emergency dental Mornington Peninsula dentists offer.
Take the Pain Out of a Dental Emergency
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Dental emergencies usually have one thing in common and that is that tend to happen at the most inconvenient times. Unlike a mild toothache that you’ve had for a few weeks, a tooth emergency is usually one that happens as a result of trauma such as a fall or an accident.
Playing sports, general ageing, and just plain old life can make your teeth susceptible to an emergency. When this happens it’s always good to know what to do until you can see your dentist. We take a look at the top dental emergencies you may experience and what to do about them.
1. Knocking Your Tooth Out
Having your tooth knocked out is possibly the most common dental emergency. You don’t have to play a competitive sport or be a kid engaged in rough playing to have a tooth knocked out. A simple fall or accident is all it takes. While your first instinct may be to spit the broken tooth out and immediately wash your mouth, it’s crucial to follow our tips to give your dentist a fighting chance at saving your tooth and reducing long-term damage.
Share these tips with your kids if they have a tooth knocked out when you’re not around. Here’s what our dental team suggest you do:
- Pick the broken tooth up by the crown (not the root or bottom part)
- Rinse it off with milk if it falls on the ground
- If possible, place the tooth back in its original place as soon as possible (Don’t do this if there is extreme pain or bleeding)
- For instances where the tooth can’t be put back in the mouth, place it in a glass of milk
- Reach out to your emergency dentist as this type of injury requires immediate attention to avoid permanent damage and infection
- If the broken tooth has cut into your lip or gum, don’t try to remove it as this will cause more pain and injury
2. Dealing With a Dental Abscess
Some people say that a dental abscess can be more painful than having your tooth knocked out. This is because an untreated abscess causes pain where it is as well as to nerves in surrounding teeth. In more severe cases, the pain may be so intense that you’re not sure where it’s stemming from.
These abscesses typically resemble a swollen pimple on the gum. They may be yellow and pussy or red and swollen. Either way, they contain bacteria and shouldn’t poked. Here’s what to do instead:
- Avoid touching the abscess with your tongue or finger as trying to pop it may lead to the bacteria fluid spreading to the rest of your mouth or throat
- Rinse your mouth with a mixture of salt and warm water (one teaspoon in a small glass of water will work)
- Apply an ice pack to the side of your face where the swelling and pain is most evident as this will restrict the blood flow to the affected nerve
- Don’t apply a hot compress as it increases blood flow to the nerve which increases the swelling
- You can also place an ice cube next to the abscess to help reduce pain
- If the abscess leaks or pops, spit out the liquid and brush your teeth or rinse with mouthwash or salt water to reduce bacteria exposure
3. Breaking a Tooth
Breaking your tooth is as easy as biting down on something hard such as a piece of candy. This may not cause the tooth to break out completely but can just chip the top off. Keep in mind that this can be as sore as having your tooth knocked out and deserves the same amount of care. Here’s what you need to do:
- Rinse your mouth with warm, salty water
- Apply a piece of gauze to the area if it’s bleeding
- Use a cold compress for pain relief
- Keep the piece of tooth that broke as your dentist may be able to save it
Final Thoughts
Having a broken tooth or a mouth abscess can be quite painful. Ignoring these issues can also cause infection and inflammation to spread. Use our tips to keep your teeth safe and clean until you can reach your dentist.
Be sure to explain the nature of your emergency so that your dentist can provide you with additional tips that will provide pain relief. Avoid creating long-term dental damage by dealing with an emergency as quickly as possible!