Dealing with Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen to anyone. Dental issues are known to get worse quickly (sometimes within minutes). Do you know what to when the time comes? Here are a few of the most common dental emergencies and how to deal with them until professional help is available.

Lost filling. An exposed tooth from a lost filling can turn very sore in a short time. Usually caused by accidentally biting down on it, a lost filling exposes the sensitive exterior of the tooth, the tender the spot which the filling protects. You can rinse the tooth with warm water to get rid of any foreign object that may be causing the pain. It’s a temporary fix, and the tooth will need dental attention right away.

Lost crown. This might hurt like a lost filling, because they basically perform the same job. If the crown is intact, put it in a safe place in the meantime. For the exposed part of the tooth, put the crown back over it, if possible. If not, apply a little clove oil using cotton to dull the pain.

Toothache. Once this happens, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water. Dull the pain using a cold compress for 20 minutes, remove it, and warm the affected area again using a hot pack. Afterwards, re-apply the cold compress. Untreated toothaches can cause serious problems, so go visit an emergency dentist at once.

Knocked-out tooth. If the tooth is found, preserve it in a glass of milk or salted water. A knocked-out tooth can still be saved if brought to a dentist within an hour.