Dental emergencies can take a variety of forms but one thing that they generally all have in common is that they’re pretty tough to miss. This, unfortunately, is because the typical dental emergency is usually quite painful.
Needless to say, it’s crucial to know what to do in the face of a dental emergency, and to have an emergency dentist with experience and expertise in these situations. Today we’re identifying the unmistakable signs that you’ve encountered a dental emergency, and what to do when this happens.
Signs That You’re Dealing With a Dental Emergency
Though instances of dental pain and oral discomfort should never be ignored, most don’t qualify as full-blown emergencies. There are, however, certain clear symptoms that indicate an immediate trip to the dentist is in order:
- Sudden, persistent, and severe toothache
- Swelling and inflammation of the gums and/or jawbone
- Unexplained bleeding from the gums
- Trauma or decay-related looseness or loss of a permanent tooth
What To Do In a Dental Emergency
If you encounter any of the symptoms or scenarios below, you’re almost certainly dealing with a dental emergency. In these moments, it’s vital to take certain steps to relieve pain in the moment and limit the possibility of further, long-term damage.
- Persistent, and severe toothache. When a toothache pops up suddenly and the pain is both unbearable and unresponsive to at-home pain relief techniques and over-the-counter pain relievers, immediate attention is in order.
- Swelling of the jawbone. If a person’s jawbone swells, even without pain, emergency care is recommended, as this could be a sign of serious infection.
- Swelling or bleeding of the gums. Swelling or bleeding of the gums, especially for no clear reason, may also be a sign of a serious infection or a dental abscess.
- Adult tooth loss. Tooth loss as an adult is never normal. Whether the result of trauma or decay, the loss of a permanent tooth requires emergency care. Fortunately, immediately taking the following steps can save the natural tooth:
- Without touching the root, pick up the tooth
- Without scrubbing, rinse off the tooth
- Re-place the tooth in its socket in the gum if possible; if not, place it in milk
- Get to the dentist ASAP!
Caring and Compassionate Emergency Dentist in White Bear Lake, MN
If you’re in White Bear Lake and in need of emergency dental care or just want to make sure you’re prepared for unexpected issues, dentist Dr. Paul Anderson and the team at White Bear Smiles are here to provide you with top-quality care in your moment of need!