You’ll likely encounter issues with your teeth regardless of how much you brush and floss them. However, there’s a fine distinction between regular dental issues and dental emergencies. Knowing what each constitutes could be the difference between having strong, healthy teeth and losing a couple.
Today, we highlight dental issues that count as emergencies. Let’s get straight into it.
It’s important to see your Clear Lake dentist immediately if your tooth falls off or gets knocked out. The same goes for loose teeth that move when you touch them. The lost teeth affect your bite alignment and lead to problems with your jaw.
A qualified dentist might return the tooth and bond any broken fragments if you act fast enough. The dentist will also check for nerve damage and arrange endodontic treatment to rescue the tooth. You only have one or two hours to re-implant the fallen tooth or risk losing it for good.
Blunt force impact or biting hard objects could crack your teeth. Cracking your tooth exposes the pulp, which leads to severe pain. This requires prompt medical attention, or the cracked tooth could get infected or an abscess.
Should you crack your tooth, pick up all the broken pieces and apply gauze on the cracked tooth to stop the bleeding. Use over-the-counter painkillers to ease the pain and visit your dentist for emergency treatment.
A severe toothache is a dental emergency because no amount of painkillers can ease the pain. These toothaches feel like sharp, surging pain that usually starts after eating or drinking something hot or cold. You can use a cold compress or OTC painkillers to help, but visiting a dentist is the only way to relieve the pain and get a good night’s sleep.
Poor oral hygiene is a leading cause of bleeding gums, but your gums can also bleed when you brush your teeth too hard or when food scrapes the gums. Minor bleeding isn’t much of an emergency, and you could get by with a simple salt solution rinse.
However, excessive bleeding with inflammation and a toothache is a dental emergency. In severe cases, you might need sutures to stop the bleeding. Visit a dentist the moment you notice your gums bleeding profusely or have bleeding gums with a severe toothache.
Dental abscesses left untreated could infect or damage surrounding teeth. A dental abscess is a pus pocket that forms after bacteria infects your teeth or gums. Abscesses don't go away on their own and eventually lead to a swollen face and jaw. Visit the dentist immediately if you notice an abscess to treat it before it worsens.
Experiencing a dental emergency in Clear Lake? Legacy Dental Co. is here to help! Get in touch with us and set an appointment! We’re ready to help you!
