Dental emergencies are potentially serious situations, and taking the right actions quickly can make a world of difference. It goes without saying that you’ll want to reach out to your dentist and book an appointment – but what else should you do?
To be honest, the actions you need to take when facing a dental emergency will depend on the type of emergency:
Intense toothache
If you have an intense toothache, you should rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. After that you can take over-the-counter painkillers to dull the pain while you wait for your appointment.
Dislodged or knocked out tooth
Assuming your tooth is dislodged (but not fully knocked out) you should try to sit it back in its socket without using force. However if it is knocked out you should locate it and pick it up without touching the roots, then put it in a cup of milk or warm water with salt and head to your dentist.
Cracked or broken tooth
When a tooth is cracked you should first rinse your mouth with warm water to cleanse it then apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce the swelling. If it is broken into pieces you can try to retrieve as many of the pieces as possible and keep them carefully before visiting your dentist.
Bleeding
If your gums, lips, tongue, or mouth is bleeding you can start by cleaning the area gently with warm water and then using a cold compress to reduce the bleeding. However if the bleeding is heavy it is best that you visit a nearby emergency room as quickly as possible to have it dealt with.
Objects stuck in gums or teeth
Sometimes objects may get stuck in your gums or the gaps between your teeth. If it isn’t deep or too inaccessible you can try to remove it yourself using a pair of tweezers or by flossing the area near the object. Assuming you get it out you should apply pressure to the area, and if you don’t you can go to the dentist.
Fractured jaw
If you suspect that your jaw is fractured you need to visit a dentist immediately. Frankly there is very little that you can do on your end to rectify the situation, and at most you can use a cold compress to reduce any swelling and numb the pain.
Always remember that no matter what action you take, your main priority is to contact an emergency dentist Swansea or a nearby location and let them know what happened. The dentist will be able to advise you on what to do next, and you should try to get an appointment as quickly as possible even there’s no immediate danger.
While knowing what to do in a dental emergency won’t change the fact that you need to visit a dentist, it can make a difference in other ways. It may help you save a tooth, or manage the pain, bleeding or discomfort a lot better.
