When you have a dental emergency, say on a weekend or during holidays, you will find that not all dentists in your area offer emergency services. For cases when you require dental care immediately, you need emergency dentistry available near you. The promptness of Getting examined by a dentist can have a significant impact on your dental injury and the future of your injured teeth.
However, knowledge of emergency dentistry is still limited. Most people don’t know how to deal with a tooth emergency or what services are offered by emergency dentists in Chandler.
This blog is about the frequently asked questions concerning emergency dentistry. Read on!
What is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is similar to general dentistry, with the added benefit of being able to book appointments outside of regular hours. In case where there is a sudden bleeding injury, broken filling, knocked out or cracked tooth, etc., and one requires emergency dental services, some dentists offer treatment even at odd hours.
One must look for an emergency dentistry near them, and have their contact numbers handy for such situations.
What Are Some Common Dental Emergencies?
Here are some common dental emergencies:
Severe Toothache: Having a persistent mild toothache is different, but in case it is severe, you need medical attention.
Knocked Out Tooth: A tooth that has been completely dislodged from its socket is undoubtedly a dental emergency.
Cracked or Broken tooth: A significant fracture in the tooth is not to be ignored and requires immediate medical attention.
Lost filling: A broken filling can be drastic and, thus, a dental emergency.
Abscess: A pocket of pus oozing liquid that causes pain and severely bad breath is surely a dental emergency.
Is It Possible to Handle A Dental Emergency At Home?
In most cases, the answer is no. You can’t deal with a broken or knocked-out tooth at home. You can take measures to lessen the pain and discomfort until you book an appointment with an emergency dentist, such as taking over-the-counter medications, applying cold compresses, placing gauze to stop bleeding, etc., but it is essential to visit a dentist in case of the emergencies discussed above.
How to Handle Dental Emergencies Until Medical Attention?
Different remedies are available for different circumstances which you can use to ease the pain and discomfort before you see an emergency dentist. Some of the common ones are shared here:
Toothache: Apply a cold compress and take over-the-counter medications. If your mouth is swollen, rinse it with lukewarm salt water.
Broken Tooth: In case of a cracked or broken tooth, do not chew from that side of the mouth. If you chew hard on it, it might cause more damage to the tooth. If the broken tooth has jagged points, do not run your tongue on it, as it is most likely to cause injury.
Knocked-out tooth: If your tooth is knocked out, there will be bleeding. Rinse your mouth multiple times until the bleeding lessens, and then apply gauze. In such cases, it is advised that you consult the dentist immediately. However, if it is not possible, keep the tooth safe in milk.
Abscess: An abscess might be the worst dental emergency. It is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. Rinsing your mouth with salt water helps ease discomfort and lessen the pain.
Lost Filling/ Crown: In case of a lost filling/ crown, place gauze or seal it with dental cement until you see the dentist.
What Are The Consequences of Not Consulting a Dentist In Case of an Emergency?
There are different potential consequences of not consulting a dentist on time.
A toothache can cause severe pain, and if it is a dental infection, it can potentially affect other teeth as well.
If a tooth is knocked out, it might be lost forever if it is not fixed on time.
If an abscess is not treated in time, the infection might spread to the tooth rot and cause further complications.
Is It Possible to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
It is possible to prevent them by exercising caution and using the right accessories to protect yourself.
- Practice good oral hygiene to keep dental infections at bay.
- Visit your dentist every six months for regular check-ups and dental cleanings.
- Avoid extremely hard foods and beverages that might harm your teeth, such as excessively sweet and carbonated beverages and fried foods.
- Wear mouthguards if you are into sports to avoid injury.
- Do not use your teeth as tools, such as a can-opener, walnut cracker, nail cutter, etc.
Final Words
Every family should have a family dentist to provide emergency dental services when needed. Prompt medical attention can significantly affect the outcome of a dental emergency. Therefore, we recommend contacting Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler immediately in case of an emergency.
We are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If you have an emergency, please call us so we can offer tooth emergency treatment promptly.
Your comfort is a priority for us.
Contact us anytime.