25 Aug Do’s and Don’ts when a dental emergency happens

Introduction: Dental emergencies can occur at any moment. It may be due to a severe toothache or a cracked tooth or it may be due to an accident or gross neglect. Dental emergencies can happen out of the blue and may need immediate care to stop pain, avoid more harm, and keep your mouth healthy. Dental emergency treatment involves seeking professional dental care as soon as possible. So you must be aware of the things that you should do when you or anyone has a dental emergency.

1) First things first, call and visit your dentist immediately. If neglected it may lead to other side effects or symptoms. And if your tooth is knocked out as a result of an accident then it must be replaced in an hour. If there is further delay then the dentist may find it difficult to replace it back in the socket. A dental emergency refers to an urgent and often unexpected dental condition that requires immediate attention from a dental professional. Here are some options for where to go for emergency dental care: Contact Your Dentist, Emergency Dental Clinics, Hospital Emergency Room, and Dental Schools.

2) Remember not to touch the root of the knocked-out tooth. Wash it with some milk and water. In case of a dental emergency, taking appropriate steps can help alleviate pain, prevent further damage, and increase the chances of a successful outcome.

3) If possible try to reattach the tooth in its socket. This way you can help the tooth survive. This should be done slowly and bite it gently to help it remain in the socket. And if it is not possible or painful then keep it moist by immersing it in milk and take it to the dentist ASAP.

4) If the tooth happens to break into fragments then carefully preserve it and take it in a sandwich bag and hand it over to the dentist so that he can fix it back. And if there is bleeding then cover the area with gauze till the bleeding stops. Alternatively, you can even place a cold compress on the gum to reduce the pain and swelling.

5) Never use dangerous and sharp objects to remove something that is lodged in your tooth as this can cause severe bleeding and injury. You could use dental floss or mouthwash to dislodge the object. And if you feel that using floss is risky or dangerous then avoid it and let your dentist deal with it.

6) Always have a dental emergency kit with you. This should help you in cases of emergency. This kit should contain the following items. Alcohol wipes, band-aids, dental floss, balls of cotton, gauze, tweezers, rubber gloves, and pain-relieving medication.

7) Be in control and do not panic. If you can then take the above steps in countering the pain and discomfort then do it. Panicking only aggravates the situation.

8) And lastly if there is any swelling or fever in an emergency, then consult your dentist immediately as the infection may spread to the other parts of the body if left untreated.

Conclusion: Note that dental emergencies are common and you can refer to the above steps to help you temporarily in case of an emergency. Remember to visit your dentist every six months to assess your oral condition and to trace and treat any issues at the budding stage itself. Staying calm in an emergency is the key. Here’s what to do if you have a dental emergency while traveling: Assess the Situation, Find Local Dental Care, Contact a Dentist, Follow Self-Care Measures, Travel Insurance, Stay Hydrated and Eat Soft Foods, and go to a Medical Facility ASAP.