What kinds of dental issues require urgent care?
Some of the most common dental emergencies are:
- Toothaches
- Loose teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Broken, cracked or chipped teeth, crowns, veneers or bondings
- Broken or lost fillings, bridges, crowns, veneers or dentures
- Lacerations in the gums or other soft tissues
- Problems moving the jaw
- Tender, swollen gums
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Knocked-out adult teeth often can be replanted in the socket as long as the tooth is healthy, the root is undamaged, and care is sought immediately. If a tooth is knocked out, avoid touching the root, so it doesn’t become damaged. Rinse the tooth gently to remove any dirt, and then try to replace it in the socket, biting gently on a clean cloth to hold the tooth in place. Make a same-day appointment at our office. If you can’t place the tooth back in the socket, place it between the cheek and gum or in a glass of water or milk.
Can I do anything to prevent a dental emergency?
The best prevention for many urgent-care issues is to have regular checkups and cleanings every six months to identify and treat issues as early as possible. Strong, healthy teeth are less likely to develop problems like toothaches, and routine appointments also help ensure restorations stay in good shape and firmly adhered to the tooth surface. Eating a healthy diet and avoiding sticky, sugary foods is also important for maintaining tooth and gum health, and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports can help protect teeth and soft tissues from injuries due to impacts.
Is it okay to treat a toothache with over-the-counter pain medicine?
An over-the-counter pain reliever, a salt-water rinse, or cold compress applied to the cheek can be used as a temporary intervention. Still, none of these are a cure for the underlying problem. Be sure and seek a professional evaluation as soon as possible. A toothache is a sign of a serious issue like decay or disease. Ignoring a toothache simply because a pain reliever takes away the pain allows these and other issues to worsen, which means treatment may be more complex and costly.
