Dental Emergency Weymouth MA
A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it. And when it does, knowing how to act could mean the difference between a lost tooth and a saved tooth.
What Are Common Dental Emergencies?
Common types of dental emergencies and how to handle them:
Knocked Out Tooth
Should you have a tooth get knocked out, immediate action is critical in saving the tooth. If it is still in your mouth, try gently easing it back into its socket without using pressure or force.
If it is hanging on by a thread in your mouth, don’t pull the tooth out or rinse your mouth. This may damage the connecting tissue retaining it in place.
Should your tooth fallen out, find it as soon as possible. Grasp it by the chewing surface instead of its root. Place it in a resealable bag or a small container with some milk in it. If no milk is available, you can put the tooth in warm salt water. Do this right away to keep it from drying out, and contact your dentist right away.
Bleeding Gums
What to do about bleeding gums depends upon how the bleeding was caused. It is not uncommon to experience some minor gum bleeding after vigorously brushing your teeth near your gums. If this happens on a regular basis, it may be an indication of gum disease. If so, contact your dentist to have it checked out.
A true dental emergency involving bleeding gums happens when the bleeding occurs after some type of mouth injury or trauma. Even though it may resolve itself on its own, it’s better to be safer than sorry. Contact your dentist for an emergency appointment.
Severe Toothache
Experiencing a severe toothache is a classic type of dental emergency requiring immediate attention. Severe pain is a sign that your body is trying to tell you something. In the case of a severe toothache, it could be caused by a fractured tooth or severe tooth decay. No matter the cause, contact your dentist or emergency dentist to receive prompt pain relief and a treatment for the underlying cause of your toothache.
Canker Sores and Abscesses
Canker sores are small infections found within the soft tissues of the mouth. They are easily irritated by spicy and salty foods. They often appear as white spots similar to blisters. Although canker sores are annoying, they are not a dental emergency and normally heal on their own in time.
On the other hand, a dental abscess is a true dental emergency requiring immediate attention. This is a very serious infection that must be addressed to save infected teeth and prevent a dangerous systemic infection.
Cracked, Broken, or Chipped Tooth
Begin by rinsing the area of the damaged tooth with some warm water. Put a cold compress over the injury. If part of the tooth has broken off, recover any broken pieces that you can find. Rinse the tooth fragments with warm water, and contact your dentist.