Common Dental Emergencies And What You Should Do About Them

Things can happen at any moment, and when you least expect them. You could trip and chip your tooth, you could get hit in the mouth and lose a tooth, or you could end up with a broken or missing filling while eating something hard. If you aren't sure what to do in the event of these types of dental emergencies, read on for tips and instructions to help guide you.

Lost Or Broken Filling

If you've lost a filling in your cavity, then you've probably already felt the pain and sensitivity in your entire mouth (and jaw). This can make eating and drinking extremely difficult. To help ease the pain you can take over-the-counter pain medication, then get to your dentist right away to have that filling replaced. If you aren't able to get to the dentist right away, you can try to use sugar-free gum to fill in the hole, or you can find temporary dental cement at your local pharmacy.

Chipped Or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth can also be painful, especially if the nerve is now exposed. If the chip is large and you can find it, save it in a cup of milk and get it to the dentist to have it set back into place. If you didn't find the broken piece of the tooth, that's OK; the dentist will be able to repair your tooth with a cap or fill in the crack with sealant.

Lost Tooth

It's fun to lose a tooth as a child, not so fun as an adult. A tooth that has been knocked out can be replaced with an implant. A tooth that has fallen out due to a gum disorder such as gum disease could require some extra work. If your gums or bone aren't healthy, an implant may not be for you. In that case, a bridge (or full dentures) may be a better option.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is an infection near the root of the tooth. An abscess can be painful and can radiate throughout your entire mouth or face. If you have an abscessed tooth, try to rinse out your mouth with salt water and get to your dentist to have the infection cleared up.

Emergencies can happen at any time with your oral health. Be prepared for these such emergencies by following the tips above. If you aren't sure how to handle the emergency, get to your dentist right away to prevent worsening the problem. For more information, contact a company like Family 1st Dental.