Emergency Dentistry
Dentist Cicero, NY
Dental emergencies can happen suddenly, leading to pain, discomfort, and possible long-term problems if not dealt with promptly. Whether it is a severe toothache, a fractured tooth, or a knocked-out tooth, seeking immediate dental attention is crucial to preserve your dental health. At Cicero Family Dental Care, we are well-equipped to handle such emergencies when they happen. We recommend that you call us as soon as possible when you encounter any dental emergency.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Knowing when to contact a dentist or heading straight to their office is crucial for effective emergency dental care. Certain issues can be addressed during your next scheduled appointment, while others require immediate attention to manage pain or stop bleeding. Some of the common dental emergencies are:
Severe Toothaches
One of the main reasons people rush to emergency dental care is agonizing toothaches. While some people do not consider toothaches an emergency, severe pain should be treated as an urgent matter. These intense pains can result from various causes, such as abscesses, tooth decay, and injuries.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Accidents occur, and a knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency. Whether it is from a sports accident or a fall, a tooth knockout should be a cause for concern. When this happens, you should receive emergency first aid and immediately visit your dentist.
Broken or Fractured Jaw
A broken or fractured jaw is another serious dental emergency often associated with facial trauma or accidents. If you suspect a jaw fracture, it is vital to keep the jaw immobile and seek immediate medical help. Meanwhile, you can apply a cold compress to lessen swelling.
Excessive Bleeding
If you are experiencing profuse bleeding from your mouth due to a dental injury or any other reason, it is crucial to seek immediate assistance. Use a clean cloth or gauze to gently apply pressure to the affected area while making your way to the dentist or emergency room.
Immediate Steps for Dental Emergencies
When dental emergencies happen, you need to take immediate action. Even before you visit your dentist, you may save your tooth by taking critical care actions. If you can wait a few days to see your dentist, it is likely not a dental emergency. Sometimes, problems that initially seem urgent can be managed for a couple of days. However, if it is an emergency, you must take first-aid steps.
If an adult or permanent tooth gets knocked out, try to put it back into the socket without touching the root. If you cannot do that, keep it moist by placing it between your gums and cheek or in milk, then see your dentist as soon as possible.
Cracked or fractured teeth are serious and can have both external and internal damage. Sometimes, severely cracked teeth cannot be saved. If you have a cracked tooth, use warm water to rinse your mouth immediately. Reduce swelling with cold compresses on the face, and call your dentist for an emergency appointment.
If you suffer from bleeding gums, rinse the mouth with a hydrogen peroxide solution or use salt water to stop bleeding. Apply a cold compress to the affected area for pain relief if there is internal bleeding. After controlling bleeding, you may need to visit a dentist. For bleeding gums, it is crucial to see an emergency dentist for an examination. This will determine if the gum injury is a minor or significant health concern.
Toothache Relief
In some cases, toothaches might not need immediate dental care, but if you have facial swelling or severe dental pain, seek urgent attention. However, there are a few steps you can take to relieve toothache before visiting a dentist.
Warm Water Rinse and Cold Press
Swirl and spit warm water, and gently use dental floss to remove food caught in your teeth. To ease swelling, apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a towel on the outside of the cheek and contact your dentist for emergency care.
Peppermint Tea Bags Press
You can use peppermint tea bags to numb pain, calm sensitive, and reduce toothache pain. After wetting and heating the tea bag, let it cool down a bit before placing it on the affected area. It should be slightly warm. Alternatively, you can chill the tea bag by putting it in the freezer for a few minutes before applying it to your tooth for a cooling effect.
Dealing With Knocked-Out Teeth
If an adult tooth gets knocked out, do not panic. Simply pick up the tooth by its crown, but do not touch the yellowish pointed root. If there is dirt on the root, gently rinse in milk or saline solution for a few seconds. Hold the clean tooth by the crown and carefully place it back into the gum socket, ensuring the root(s) goes in. Only do this if the injured person is conscious. Bite on something soft, like a handkerchief, to keep the tooth in place, and call your dentist straight away.
Do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth into the gum. Instead, seek prompt attention from an oral health professional to check for any additional damage to the other teeth or mouth. Attempting to reposition a baby tooth could harm the permanent tooth beneath the gum. The baby tooth might become fused to the bone, leading to complications when it is supposed to come out naturally. This could impact the development of the adult tooth, bone, and gums.
Handling Broken or Chipped Teeth
Teeth that are chipped or cracked may or may not cause pain. Regardless, it is essential to see a dentist because early treatment can enhance the chances of saving a damaged tooth. If a part of the tooth breaks off and remains intact, store it in milk or the saliva of the patient or seal it in plastic wrap, then seek dental care as soon as possible.
At Cicero Family Dental Care, we understand the risks associated with dental emergencies and the potential implications. For this reason, we take all emergency calls seriously. We are always ready to attend to you, even if your emergency is just a toothache. If you experience an emergency, call us right away at (680) 688-6026, and we will attend to your needs. |
