Dental emergencies could be just as significant as general health emergencies. There are many ways in which you might find yourself in a dental emergency. However, due to the complexity of a situation, you may be clueless.
It could be midnight when your gums start bleeding and even your nearby dentist is unavailable at the time. The following sections in this article list the most common types of dental emergencies and how you should be handling each of them.
Bleeding gums
If your gums start to bleed without any sign of injury, chances are that an underlying infection is responsible for it. Start rinsing your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water and do it twice or thrice. This would help draw the pus out. The next morning, visit your dentist straight away.
Injuries
You may ask, “What if my gums are bleeding because of an injury?” In that case, apply a tea bag to the area you’re bleeding from for about 15 minutes. This stops the bleeding. Apart from this, in any sort of oral injury, wrap an ice pack with a towel and put it on your cheeks to stop the swelling.
Broken or loose braces
To deal with loose braces, use orthodontic wax as required to prevent the wire from cutting your gums and teeth. In case you do not have an orthodontic wax, use a sugar-free gum instead.
Ensure that you call your orthodontist right away and book the earliest appointment possible. However, do not cut the wire. This might render the braces useless.
Unusual toothaches
If you have been suffering from a toothache but cannot recall any injury, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. You may also want to consider flossing the aching tooth to check if there is any food particle stuck in there. If the pain persists, consult a dentist right away. The American Dental Association (ADA) advises:
“For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth.”
A broken or chipped tooth
This is surely caused by an accident! Firstly, save the chipped or broken part, since it could be bonded later. Secondly, rinse your mouth with warm water. If you bleed, use gauze and apply it to the bleeding area until the bleeding stops.
To relieve pain, you can wrap an ice pack with a towel and apply it over your cheeks. This will also prevent swelling. Make sure you book an appointment with your dentist at the earliest.
Uprooted/Partially uprooted tooth
In case of a fully or partially uprooted tooth, firstly, save the tooth and try to put it back. You may use a dental adhesive if you have any. Have an over-the-counter painkiller if you are experiencing a great deal of pain, and apply an ice pack wrapped with a towel. Since clove oil is known to reduce pain, you may put some of it on a cotton swab and apply it directly to the aching area.
While some dental emergencies can be treated at home, some cannot be. The situation in most cases can be mitigated for the time being, until your dentist is available for the next appointment. Hence, after you’ve treated your dental condition at home, always seek professional dental help in the event of any sort of dental emergency.
