Try though we might, it’s impossible to plan for a dental emergency. Things can happen at any given point in time no matter how well you’ve taken care of your teeth. It’s easy to panic in the heat of the moment, but fortunately, your dentist has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you out of many difficult dental scenarios. Keep reading to learn about 3 common problems and their typical solutions to set your mind at ease!
Issue #1: Broken Tooth
Whether you’ve bitten into a piece of bone that chipped your pearly white or cracked it overnight while grinding your teeth, it can be a shock to realize that your tooth is broken. It’s important to contact your dentist right away because the structure of your pearly white has been compromised and you might harm it further if you’re not careful. If you have it, place a small piece of wax over your tooth to protect the insides of your mouth from its jagged edge. Then, your dentist can examine your condition to propose potential treatments, like filling in the damage with a biocompatible composite resin, for example.
Issue #2: Physical Trauma
A strong blow to the face during a sporting event or physical match is enough physical trauma to knock out a chomper. Unless the injury is life-threatening, you should reach out to your dentist before trying an emergency room. They’re the only one with the right training and instruments to repair your pearly white. Depending on your circumstances, they can restore or replace your tooth with dental crowns or implants, or provide more suitable therapies that meet your needs.
You may experience some bleeding and discomfort waiting for your appointment, so try to reduce it by biting gently on a clean cloth. If you’re in pain, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen are usually safe and effective. You can also try pressing an ice pack to that side of your face so the cold can provide some well-deserved numbing and relief.
Issue #3: Intense Toothache
If you’ve noticed a sharp twinge in your teeth when you bite down or a constant, dull ache, then you need to get help. Pain is generally indicative of an underlying issue, such as a cavity or an abscess below the gumline. Unfortunately, these problems won’t fix themselves and will only progress further with time, so it’s imperative that you see a professional sooner rather than later. They’ll see you as soon as possible for a reprieve from the ache as well as discuss possible remedies, like a root canal.
If you have a dental dilemma and aren’t sure whether it qualifies as an emergency, err on the side of caution and call your dentist. They can walk you through appropriate steps to care for yourself over the phone or schedule you for an appointment as soon as they have availability.
About the Author
Dr. Shauna Soltani provides a wide range of dental services to patients of all ages, including emergency dentistry. She completed her dental doctorate at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and has since completed training in a variety of other disciplines. She and her dedicated team will work you into the schedule as soon as possible if something happens so that you don’t have to wait for relief. You’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (720) 608-7770.
