What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that requires immediate attention. You might be having a dental emergency if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Severe pain
- Injury to the face
- Swelling in the mouth or face
- Bulges or swelling in the gums
What to do During a Dental Emergency in Plainville, CT
Dental emergencies often require immediate action. if you experience one of the following emergencies, there are some things you can do while you wait to get to a Plainville dentist for emergency services.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
If you have a knocked-out permanent tooth, pick the tooth up from the crown and rinse the tooth off without touching the roots. You can attempt to place the tooth back into the socket by gently holding it in place and biting down. If you cannot get the tooth back into place, keep it moist by holding it in the inside of your cheek or in milk. Following these steps and getting to an emergency dentist right away is crucial in saving your tooth.
Loose Tooth
For a loose tooth, try to keep the tooth in place by gently biting down. Get to an emergency dental provider right away so the tooth can be stabilized and treated.
Cracked or Fractured Tooth
A cracked or fractured tooth indicates damage on the inside as well as the outside of the tooth. If this occurs, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever or use an ice pack to minimize pain until you can get to an emergency dentist in Plainville. You may need root canal treatment to treat any internal infection, as well as a crown or inlay procedure to restore the tooth to proper function.
Tissue Injury
Tissue injuries include any severe injury inside the mouth such as puncture wounds, tears in the lips, or a cut cheek or tongue. If you have a tissue injury, wash the area with warm water and use gauze to help stop bleeding. You should then get to an oral surgeon or emergency room right away.
Extreme Toothache
Toothaches happen from time to time and are usually signs of other issues such as infection or tooth decay. You may be able to alleviate your pain by swishing cold or lukewarm water, but you should still get to an emergency dentist in Plainville as soon as you can.
Tooth Abscess
Tooth abscesses are no joke. These infections of the gum tissue can eat away at the root of the tooth below the gum line and if left untreated can even spread to other parts of the body. An emergency dentist can offer the care and treatment you need to get rid of the infection before it’s too late.
If you are unsure whether or not you are having a dental emergency, call your dentist (or have someone else call) and explain exactly what happened and what you are experiencing. This can also help them prepare their office for your arrival and get you the immediate attention you need.
Avoiding Dental Emergencies
The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to protect your mouth and teeth. This can be done by wearing a mouth guard while playing sports and other activities that involve possible contact, avoiding chewing on ice or other hard foods, and not attempting to open things with your teeth.
Many dental emergencies can be avoiding with regular visits to your dentist. Your dentist can check for signs of a loose or weakened tooth, cavities, signs of decay, and any sores. Addressing these problems early can prevent them from turning into dental emergencies.
24-Hour Dental Care
Not all dental emergencies happen during normal business hours. For patients who need emergency dental care outside of most dentist’s hours of availability, there are dentists in Plainville who are available 24/7 to handle late-night accidents and illnesses.
24-hour dentists can be hard to find, but your best bet is the nearest hospital’s emergency room. The hospital may employ a dentist to be available in the ER for late-night dental care needs, although this is not guaranteed. In any case, if you are in extreme pain or have uncontrollable bleeding, go to the hospital no matter what.
Emergency Dentists in Plainville, CT
If you are having a dental emergency, call IKON Dental Group at (860) 400-0196 now. For non-emergency inquiries such as scheduling your first appointment, you can call or fill out an online contact form, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as we can.