How to Manage Dental Emergencies?

A dental emergency can affect anyone with teeth and may create a sense of panic in the individual if he or she doesn’t know what to do in such conditions. Any injury to the teeth or gums requires immediate attention without being ignored. Dental problems when ignored increase the risks of permanent damage as well as the need for extensive treatment which can also be expensive.

It is important to understand what constitutes a dental emergency requiring emergency dental care to ensure your teeth and that of your family are taken care of appropriately by avoiding unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Accidents can occur at any time of the day or night but some oral injuries may require immediate attention. Some injuries can wait until your dentist’s normal working hours for the treatment.

What Types of Injuries Require Emergency Dental Care?

Certain types of injuries can result from biting down on food that is too hard and perhaps even results in a chipped or cracked tooth. Some injuries may result in a knocked-out tooth because of an accident or even from impact sports. Depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the tooth minor problems can wait for a call to the dentist during normal business hours.

If you are suffering from a severe crack and a large piece of the tooth is missing you should seek immediate medical attention. Visiting the dentist nearby can also help in dental emergencies like a knocked-out tooth by first attempting to put the tooth back into its socket or taking the tooth to the dentist in a small container with milk. Even the dentist nearby will be able to provide treatment for a dental emergency because dentists are routinely setting time aside for dental emergencies despite their busy schedules.

Emergencies With Complications

At times clarity may not be available in the form of a knocked-out or a cracked tooth. You may find yourself in severe pain from an abscess that you may not be in a position to identify. In such cases, it is advised that you call your dentist’s office if you believe you need emergency dental care. Calling the dentist in Phoenix will also help you. The dentist’s office may be able to provide you with an appointment quickly as the Phoenix dentist also sets slots aside for dental emergencies.

If you are unable to contact the Phoenix dentist for any reason you can attempt calling the Scottsdale dentist who has an emergency number with instructions on the answering machine. If the instructions don’t prove helpful you can head to the emergency room where the staff will help you to determine whether the injury can wait for your dentist while providing you some pain medication to alleviate the symptoms that are affecting you.

How to Handle Soft Tissue Injuries?

An injury to your tongue, gums, lips, and cheeks will be considered as a soft tissue injury and can result in bleeding. You should be taking some actions to control the bleeding in the following manner:

• Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution.
• Apply pressure on the building site with a moistened tea bag or gauze holding it in place for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• To relieve pain and also control the bleeding a cold compress on the outside of the mouth or cheek a platform around 5 to 10 will prove helpful.
• You should be contacting the dentist right away if the bleeding doesn’t stop or head for the emergency room at the hospital. The pressure on the bleeding site should remain until you are seen by and treated by a professional.

Who Can Be Afflicted by a Dental Emergency?

Any individual with teeth in his or her mouth can be afflicted by a dental emergency. The emergency could be a result of a sports-related injury, biting down on hard foodstuff and objects or even an impact from an accident. Dental emergencies are better identified and treated by an expert in this field. However, if you are unable to schedule an appointment with your dentist you can obtain care from a hospital until you can visit your dentist for an expert evaluation. You must, however, ensure you visit your dentist for proper treatment despite receiving emergency attention from the staff in the emergency room. A dentist specializes in oral injuries and is in a better position to offer you proper treatment.