A dental emergency can happen at any time and cause pain, stress, and difficulty. You can learn how to act quickly in Knoxville, Chattanooga, or anywhere else in Tennessee.
This will help you avoid more damage and make the time you have to wait for your dentist appointment easier. If you are in the Farragut area, you can get help right away from a dentist in Farragut. This is a guide on how to handle some common dental problems.
What is a dental emergency?
Any tooth trouble that needs to be fixed right away is called a dental emergency. Not every tooth problem needs to be fixed right away.
But you need dental emergency care if you are bleeding profusely, in pain that will not go away with medicine, or if you have broken bones in your face.
Knocked out tooth.
Use your time wisely! Find the tooth carefully and hold it by the cap, which is the white part. Do not touch the root. Carefully try to put the tooth back into its place if you can. That should work.
If not, put the tooth in a jar with milk or your own saliva. Get to the dentist right away. The faster you act, the more likely it is that the tooth will be saved.
Severe toothache.
Pain that does not go away or that throbs could be a sign of an infection. To get rid of allergens, rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
Painkillers that you can buy over the counter can help for a short time. But do not put the medicine right on your gums or teeth. You should see your doctor right away to get checked out and treated.
Chipped or broken tooth.
Small chips might not need to be fixed right away. But if there are bigger breaks, sharp edges, or nerves that are showing, you must get professional help right away.
To get rid of the swelling, rinse your mouth with warm water and put a cold pack on your cheek. Make an appointment with your doctor by calling them.
Lost filling or dental crown.
When a crown or filling falls off, the tooth underneath is left open to infections or more damage. If you can, save the crown or filling, and call your dentist right away to make an appointment.
To keep things from getting worse, try putting a piece of sugar-free gum over the spot that is showing.
Abscess or swollen gum.
A red bump filled with pus next to your tooth means you have an infection. This could be very painful. Use warm salt water to rinse your mouth and a warm cloth on your cheek.
Do not try to force open the abscess! It can make the infection spread. Get medicines and treatment right away by seeing your doctor.
Bleeding gums.
Most of the time, slight blood after brushing or flossing is nothing to be concerned about. However, heavy or constant bleeding could be a sign of gum disease or other problems.
Rinse gently with warm salt water, and then call your dentist to get more tests done.
Getting an object lodged between your teeth.
To gently get rid of the object, try using dental floss. Do not push it! If it is challenging to get out, do not use tweezers or anything else sharp because you could hurt your gums or teeth. Set up a time to see your doctor.
Jaw injury or pain.
There are many reasons why you might have trouble opening or closing your jaw or jaw joint pain. Put a cold pack on the area that hurts and then go to the doctor to find out what is wrong and get the right care.
This guide is a good place to start, but it should not be used instead of seeing a dentist. In case of a dental emergency, you should always call your dentist right away. They will look at what is going on and tell you what you should do.
