Everything About Dental Emergency

No one plans for an emergency, and that’s why it’s an emergency. In the event that you have a dental emergency do you know who to run to immediately? Does your dentist offer dental emergency services? If not, what is your next course of action when you are under a medical emergency? Not knowing exactly what to do and who to run to is the worst thing during an emergency. That’s why it is crucial to know what to do and who to turn to for help in such a situation. As soon as you undergo a dental emergency, call a qualified dentist immediately who will take care of your issue right away. There is a number of dentists who provide emergency dental care and can see you immediately if you have an issue. Before you rush into a dentist’s office, make sure you first speak with the clinic staff to verify if they offer such services. If you aren’t in a position to speak, let a friend or relative help you. Also, try and include additional information about the emergency such as where the issue is located, what exactly happened and any necessary accommodation you may require. The additional information will help the staff prepare for your evaluation and treatment, and to help reduce any pain or discomfort you are going through.

Once you are at the dental clinic, the staff will do their best to give you comfortable accommodations and provide you with the immediate relief they can. They will conduct the initial examination of the emergency and provide a diagnosis once the dentist is available. If any treatment is possible at the time of the emergency, that treatment will be provided to you. However, it is not all dental emergency issues can be treated on the very day of the emergency occurrence. Some treatment requires scheduling and additional preparation, so you may be required to schedule a follow-up visit to the dentist so that the issue can be handled. Everything the dentist can do to mitigate the problem will be done just from the moment you step in the dental clinic. The dentist will provide you with all the necessary information about your situation and how you can go back to your normal and healthy life. Once a dental emergency occurs, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible so that you can maximize the chances of saving your tooth. It’s vital to note that for some dental emergencies, seeing the dentist within the first thirty minutes means saving the tooth.

Definition of Dental Emergency

A Dental Emergency is an extensive term used to describe an issue that involves the teeth and its surrounding tissues that are of great importance to be treated by a relevant dental professional. Dental emergencies are not a must and pain must be involved. However, this is a common signal that something requires attention. Pain can originate from the affected tooth or the surrounding tissue. It can also have the sensation of originating from the teeth but be caused by an independent source (a toothache and orofacial pain). Depending on the type of pain a patient is feeling, an experienced dentist can be able to determine the cause of the pain and treat the affected tissue as each tissue type gives a different message when it comes to a dental emergency. There are various emergencies that can exist and can range from fungal/bacterial/viral infections to dental restoration or fractured teeth, each requiring an individual response and treatment as every situation is unique in its own way. Fractures or dental trauma can transpire anywhere on the tooth or the surrounding bone. The treatment option will vary depending on the extent of the fracture and the size. Dental restoration fracturing or falling out can also be treated as a dental emergency as this can affect the way an individual eats, pronounces words, and aesthetics. Such should be attended with the same haste as any other dental emergency. In order to preserve the teeth for as long as possible, all dental emergencies should be done under the supervision of a qualified dental professional.

Dental Pain

What is Pain?

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as an unpleasant and emotional experience that comes along with potential or actual tissue damage. It’s one of most common reasons why patients visit the dentist to seek emergency dental treatment. Dental pain may result from a myriad of conditions or diseases.

Odontogenic Pain

Odontogenic pain is pain that is associated with the teeth. It originates in the peri-radicular tissues or the dental pulp.

Non-odontogenic Pain

This is pain that is not associated with the teeth, but it involves other orofacial tissues. This type of pain can be quite difficult to diagnose and may vary in severity. The following condition may mimic pain from a toothache and may contribute to the reason a patient seeks medical, dental attention. Non-odontogenic pain can originate from the maxillary sinus since there is only a thin plate of bone that separated sinus from maxillary teeth. Pain from infections of sinus lining can lead to facial pains, and this can be felt as if it is originating from the teeth.

Types of Dental Emergency

Knocked Out Tooth

A tooth that has been knocked clean out is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. If you follow the appropriate steps immediately after the tooth has been knocked out, the chances are high that you will be in a position to save the tooth. It can be reinserted and saved by a dental professional. In the event of a knocked out tooth, follow this simple steps:

– Pick up the tooth by only touching the top part (crown) of the tooth. Make sure that you don’t touch the route.

– Gently rinse the teeth using clean water and make sure that it is clean. Do not scrub it to remove any tissue that it’s attached to it. Make sure that you place a washcloth or a towel in the sink so that the tooth does not go down to drain.

– If you are in a position, gently hold back the tooth in the socket and try to bite it down.

– Call your dentist immediately. Getting to the dentist within the shortest time possible with your tooth means that there are chances that it can be reinserted. In the meantime, make sure that you follow the steps above. The longer you wait to re-implant the tooth back to the socket, the less the chance that it can be saved.

Cracked or Fractured, Chipped Tooth

A tooth that has been cracked or it is fractured is a serious issue that constitutes a medical emergency. This type of emergency means that the damage has occurred both to the inside of the tooth and outside. Severe cases of a cracked tooth are so extreme to the extent that the tooth cannot be saved. It is paramount that you call your dentist immediately if you suffer from a cracked tooth and follow the simple steps below:

– First, clean your mouth by rinsing it with warm, clean water.

– If the fracture has been brought about by trauma, use a cold compress on the affected area to minimise the swelling.

– You can take a pain killer (acetaminophen) to reduce the pain before seeing the dentist.

– Never make the mistake of applying a painkiller to the gum since it can burn the gum tissue.

Once you visit the dentists, he/she will need to carry out an x-ray for him/her to properly diagnose the actual condition of your tooth. If the pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the tooth is damaged, you may need to undergo a root canal therapy. If the pulp is in good condition and it is not damaged in any way, you may only need a dental crown. Depending on the dental clinic, you may get the dental crown within one day while on other clinics you may be forced to wait a little bit longer. This is because some clinics have the necessary equipment to make the crown right away in their clinic while others have to outsource this service. In the case that you’ll have to wait a little bit longer, you will have to wear a temporary crown while you await for a permanent one. If at all your teeth cannot be saved, your dentist will inform you of various other alternatives like bridges and implant-supported restorations to replace a missing tooth.

If you have a chipped tooth, but it does not have any pain, this does not constitute a dental emergency. However, it is still vital to see the dentist as soon as possible since ignoring it can result in further problems. Your dentist will be able to either add some composite filling material to repair the tooth or simply be able to smooth it.

Loose Tooth, Tooth Out of Alignment

If you have a loose tooth or the tooth is out of alignment, you should immediately call your dentist for emergency service. In the meantime, you can try and put the tooth back to its original position with your finger using very minimal pressure. Do not try forcing it. To keep it from moving, try and bite it down gently. Once you see your dentist, he may want to splint the tooth to the adjacent teeth to keep it stabilised.

Tissue Injury and Facial Pain

Tissue injury is considered to be any injury inside the mouth such as lacerations, puncture wounds, tears to the cheeks, lips, tongue and mouth. Any tissue injuries is considered to be a dental emergency. If you undergo any type of tissue injury, first clean the area with some warm water. If at all the bleeding is coming from the tongue, pull the tongue forward and apply some pressure on it using gauze. You should get the assistance of a dentist as soon as possible. To reduce facial pain associated with tissue injury, you should take a painkiller. Note that you should never take ibuprofen and aspirin for a dental emergency since they are anticoagulants which can result in excessive bleeding. The most recommended one is acetaminophen.

Broken or Dislocated Jaw

Believe it or not, one of the most common types of fractures among patients is a broken jaw. A Broken jaw is generally caused by excessive force applied below the jaw. This is in most cases from a sports injury, work accident or vehicle injury. It is critical that in such an event you visit your dentist immediately.

Lost Filling or Crown

There are several reasons a filling or a crown may fall out. Usually, a filling or crown may become loose while someone is eating. Once it’s out the affected tooth may become very sensitive to changes in temperature and pressure. Crowns become loose due to the decay of the tooth below. Decay causes the shape of the tooth to change meaning that the crown will no longer fit. Lost filling or crown is considered a dental emergency and should be treated as so. If you’ve lost a filling or crown, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a safe place that is also cool because there is a possibility that the dentist may choose to reinsert it. If you fail to take an immediate action and the crown of filling is out of the mouth for a long period, the teeth may shift or even sustain further damage. In the event of a lost filling or crown, follow these simple steps:

– Apply clove oil to the affected tooth to alleviate pain.

– Clean the crown or filling with warm water and keep it until you see the dentist.

– Do not try to use glue to affix the crown or filling.

Dislodged/Loose Teeth

When a tooth loosens or has been dislodged from its socket by decay or trauma, there are possibilities that it might be saved. For a dislodged or cracked tooth, treat it as a dental emergency and call the dentist immediately. In the meantime, if you are experiencing some pain, use a cold compress or over the counter drugs to relieve pain. Once you see the dentist, he will be in a position to reposition the tooth and add splints on it so that it can stabilise again. In the event of extreme cases, the dentist may advise that you undergo a root canal therapy.

Broken or Loose Implants

The rate of success of an implant is relatively high, and there are very minimal chances of failure. It has a success rate of more than 95%. If the rare occurrence happens to you, call your dentist immediately. Dental implants failure is most likely to happen due to infection of the implants. If it is possible, seek medical attention from the dentist who performed the implant. Implants that fail on later dates are mostly because of bone loss. A de-cementation or fracture of a post or loosening of the abutment screw could be the result of dissolved cement, excessive occlusal forces, and use of a weak post or secondary carries. Irrespective of the cause, visit your dentist as soon as you notice broken or loose implants.

Other Dental Emergencies

Basically, any dental issue that requires an immediate attention so as to save a tooth, reduce severe pain or stop bleeding is considered to as a dental emergency. A severe infection or abscess in the mouth can be a life-threatening condition and should be dealt with immediately. The dentist may be in a position to perform the first stage root canal or refer you to an endodontist to open and drain the tooth and allow the abscesses to drain.

Problems with Temporary Restorations

Problems associated with temporary restoration like having it come off is not a dental emergency. However, it is vital that you put it back in place so that the tooth can stay in its original position until you seek medical attention from your dentist. A temporary crown can easily be reinserted back onto the tooth by placing toothpaste, Chap Stick, Vaseline or even a small amount of denture adhesive onto the temporary crown and placing it onto your tooth. First, try and put the temporary crown and see how it fits in place. Once you feel comfortable with the fit, apply adhesive and place it properly on your tooth. Use a dry washcloth to bite firmly applying even pressure to the temporary restoration. After some few minutes, clean the excess adhesive. You should see the dentist within the next few days to have the temporary restoration re-cemented and fit properly.

How to determine if it is a Dental Emergency

Re-cementing a crown that is not causing any pain, smoothing a chipped tooth and composite bonding to repair a tooth are not considered as dental emergencies. Typically, if you are experiencing such problems, your dentist can be able to deal with them during your regular visits to the dentist. You need to be sure if you are having a dental emergency or not, so as to avoid unnecessary tension. If at all you are not sure, answer the following questions:

– Are you under severe pain?

– Do you have swelling in the mouth or any part of the facial area?

– Are you bleeding from the mouth?

– Have you lost any teeth?

– Do you have any swelling, knots or bulges on your gum?

– Have you been hit by anything on the face or the mouth?

If you have yes as an answer to any of the questions above, you probably then must be having a dental emergency, and you need to call your dentist immediately. Once you call the dentist, it is vital that you explain to him every single detail about your issue. Tell him what exactly has happened and how you are feeling. If you are experiencing severe pain due to warm or hot food and beverages, try and drink ice water. It might help you relieve the pain. Sip cold water and if possible hold some in your mouth until you see the dentist. If you are having severe sensitivity to cold or once you breathe cold air you feel some pain, avoid cold foods and beverages. If your pain is due to biting down something, it might be an indication of an abscess. This is an emergency, call your dentist immediately for guidance on what to do.

How to Avoid Dental Emergency

Some dental emergency situations are incidental, but that does not mean that there are no preventive measures you can take. Here are some simple actions that can keep your mouth free from any dental emergency:

– Wear a mouth Guard While Participating in High-impact Activities or Sports

Mouth guards have been proved to reduce injuries related to sports and other high-intensity activities to a great extent. Wearing a mouth guard provides an added layer on protection on the teeth. A mouth guard will drastically lessen the occurrence of chipped, fractured or losing a teeth.

– Take Precautionary Measures (especially where there is no immediate dental care)

It is important to have regular dental examinations but if you are planning to be away from home especially if you are planning to get out of the country, make sure that you take a pre-emptive dental appointment to make sure that things are in order. Such measures could play an integral role in ensuring issues such as infection, loose teeth that may lead to abscess are avoided.

– Get Regular Checkups

Perhaps the most obvious measure to take to avoid a dental emergency is to have regular check-ups to a dentist. Most dental emergency measures can be avoided by having a regular check-up with your dentist. During regular check-ups, the dentist will ensure that you have healthy mouth and teeth that are strong and free from decay. Visit your dentist once after every six months. Also, avoid chewing hard foods or ice that may cause fracture or break your teeth.

Preparation For a Dental Emergency

Because a dental emergency can occur at any time and anywhere, it is always good that you are prepared at all times and don’t panic. Always arm yourself with a small dental first aid kit that has the following items:

– Gauze

– Small container with a lid

– Handkerchief

– Acetaminophen (not aspirin)- Name and number of your dentist

– Name and number of your dentist