It’s encouraged that you visit the dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. This can help improve your dental health and keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. However, there are situations that warrant a more immediate dental visit. If you’re facing any of these dental emergencies, don’t wait until your next regularly scheduled appointment. Visit the dentist immediately.
1. A Knocked-Out Tooth
Whether you tripped and fell or got hit in the mouth during a sports game, a knocked-out tooth requires an emergency dental visit. If you can head to your dentist quickly enough, they may be able to reattach it. Keep the tooth healthy by rinsing it off in milk or water and tucking it inside your cheek to keep it moist on the way to the dental office. If the root is still intact, there’s a strong likelihood your dentist can place the tooth back where it belongs. Please visit Your Smile Dental Care for additional information.
2. A Cracked Tooth
A tooth can get cracked during an accident or simply while chewing a hard piece of candy. If you’ve cracked one of your teeth, use an ice pack to reduce swelling and use an over-the-counter pain medicine to ease your discomfort, then call your dentist, who can assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
3. A Displaced Tooth
If an injury has caused one of your teeth to move out of position, head to your dentist as soon as possible to have the situation addressed. If you react quickly enough, your dentist may be able to move it back into position to prevent any further discomfort and bite problems.
4. An Oral Infection
If your teeth or gums are infected, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. Though a small infection such as gingivitis may not qualify as an emergency, other types of infections do. Pain, along with swelling under the mouth and around the jawline, may indicate you have an infection that should be looked at right away. This is particularly true if it’s associated with difficulty swallowing or breathing. Do not try to treat the infection on your own.
5. A Temporary Crown Has Come Off
If a temporary crown falls off, you could be subjecting the inside of your tooth to dirt and debris, which could cause further problems. Try to catch the crown immediately before you lose it or swallow it, then put it back in place with some Vaseline. Call your dentist to have it replaced immediately.
6. An Abscessed Tooth
If you’ve been feeling intense tooth pain for a while and it suddenly goes away, you may be facing a dying root. Soon, this can result in an abscess, which needs to be treated with antibiotics and assessed right away.
While you may take great care to keep your teeth healthy, sometimes accidents, injuries, and infections occur. If this is the case, contact your dentist as soon as possible to assess the situation and get the help you need to save your teeth and ensure optimal dental health.
