Dental emergencies are an unfortunate reality of life and need to be addressed right away by an experienced dental professional.
When you cut a finger or break a bone, you know to head to the nearest emergency room. But what do you do when you chip your tooth or knock one out? Some people still head to the ER, but did you know that the American Dental Association suggests that most dental emergencies should be handled at the dentist’s office? Now you may be wondering, “What constitutes a dental emergency? And which situations require a visit to the dental office and which emergencies require a visit to the emergency room?”
Continue reading below to help you make this decision.
5 Common Dental Emergencies
Toothache — Aches and pains in your teeth can be a sign of many different dental issues, and finding the problem needs to be identified so it can be taken care of quickly. If you are experiencing a toothache that will not go away, it’s important to have a knowledgeable professional take a look.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth — Your teeth are strong, but when you bite down too hard on an object or are in an accident, they can crack or chip. If one or more of your teeth has cracked or chipped, reach out to an expert dentist as soon as possible.
Loose or Knocked Out Tooth — Any impact to your face that results in a loose tooth or a tooth falling out requires immediate emergency dental attention. If your tooth is loose, keep it in its socket to prevent it from coming out by rental biting down to hold it in place. If your tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and only handle it by its crown (the portion of the tooth you see when you smile — not its root), submerge it in milk or put it back in its socket, and get to the dental office right away.
Soft Tissue Injury — If the soft tissues in your mouth, such as your gums, lips, tongue, or the inside of your cheeks are injured, contact your trusted emergency dentist for instructions. This may require an ER visit or may need to be handled by a dental professional. In the meantime, apply pressure to the wounded area to slow bleeding.
Damaged Dental Restoration — Both temporary and permanent dental restorations, such as a filling or crown, can become loose or even fall out. If you experience this, reach out to your dentist for further instructions.
Precautions to Take to Avoid Dental Emergencies
There are a few things you can do to help avoid dental emergencies:
- When playing sports, always wear a mouthguard.
- Never use your teeth to open packages.
- Avoid chewing hard items like ice, candy, and popcorn kernels.
Oak Hills Dentistry Can Help with All Dental Emergencies in Layton, Utah Dental emergencies are no fun, but the help you need is just a call away. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please reach out to the professional team at Oak Hills Dentistry so we can help. Call our phone number and carefully listen to our voicemail for further instructions on getting the care you need. For all other dental appointments and questions, contact us to get scheduled today.