Understanding the basics of dental emergency
How do you describe what is a dental emergency? In simple words you can say any dental condition that requires immediate attention and intervention of a qualified dentist is a dental emergency. So, in other words you can also say every dental condition is certainly not a dental emergency. Typical examples of dental emergency conditions that are common in the real world include uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, broken or fractured bones in the face or the jaws, severe pain in the mouth that does not get better even with medication. If you face any of the conditions above then what you need is emergency dental care and treatment from a dentist immediately.
What should you do when faced with a dental emergency?
When you are experiencing a dental emergency the first thing to do is get in touch with your dentist over the phone. Explain the dental professional the exact condition you are suffering from in a few words and seek the expert’s advice about how to deal with it. A dental emergency may suddenly show up at the most inconvenient hours, say well past midnight or on a weekend or a bank holiday. As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, most dentists have an emergency contact number.
You can call at that number if your problem shows up beyond normal business hours. Dental emergencies can be life threatening. Therefore a well-known emergency dentist in Chelsea suggests if you are not registered with a dentist or an oral health practice and faced with a dental emergency in that case you should walk straight into the A&E of the nearest hospital or an urgent care centre.
Places where you get emergency dental treatments
The majority of dental emergency cases are treated in the office of a dentist. These include cases like chipped, broken or knocked out tooth. However if you sustain injuries that are more serious, for example shattered bones in the jaws or the face, it is better to get into the A&E room of the nearest hospital.
Few typical examples of emergency dental cases
Some of the typical examples of emergency dental cases that are common in the real world include –
- Unbearable pain in the tooth
- A tooth that is cracked badly
- A tooth completely knocked out of its socket in the jaw
- A partially dislodged tooth (in dental terms this is called case of extruded tooth)
- Lost or broken dental restorations
- Tooth abscess which results in swelling of the jaw as well as the face
- Deep injury of the soft tissues in the mouth – for example a deep cut or a busted lip
Now let us discuss practical tips about how to manage these emergency dental conditions during the intermediate time till a dentist sees you.
Unbearable pain in the tooth
- Rinse the mouth well with lukewarm water.
- If any object is stuck between the teeth then try to floss it out.
- If there is swelling in the mouth, apply a cold compress from outside that is the cheek or the chin.
- A 24 hour dentist in London suggests you may also take over the counter pain medications at this stage like ibuprofen acetaminophen, paracetamol or naproxen.
However take care not to apply aspirin or any other painkiller directly on the gum to avoid burning of the gum tissues. You should see a dentist as fast as it is possible.
Tooth that is badly cracked
- Save all the broken pieces and rinse them quickly in cold water.
- In the next step rinse the mouth thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- If the condition involves bleeding then place a piece of gauze on the bleeding site and apply pressure on the teeth. Within ten to fifteen minutes bleeding should stop.
- To get relief from pain and discomfort apply a cold compress from outside.
- Cold compress also keeps any swelling under control.
See your dentist as soon as you can.
Tooth that is knocked out from its socket in the jaw
First get hold of the tooth and make sure to handle it only by its crown. Crown is the visible part of the tooth that remains visible above the gum, says a busy dentist in Chelsea. You may rinse it off a little with cold water but do not scrub it. It is also important that you do not clear away any tissue fragment attached to the tooth.
Just try to place the tooth back into its socket in a gentle way facing the proper way. If it goes in smoothly, it is fine otherwise, do not apply force to insert the tooth in.
If the tooth refuses to get into its socket, in that case drop it a cup of cold water or milk. This will keep the roots alive longer and there will be higher chances for your dentist to retain the tooth.
You have to seek an emergency dental appointment in London or anywhere else for that matter in this case. If the proper treatment starts within an hour from the time of the trauma, a dentist has higher chances of saving or retaining the tooth and you will not suffer from tooth loss.
Tooth abscess
Abscesses are an infection in the size of a pimple and it occurs at the root of the tooth. it may also come up in the space between the tooth and the gum. In advanced stages a dental abscess is serious enough to prove life threatening. When left untreated and ignored it gradually affects the surrounding tissues, bone structures and the teeth
If the condition is not treated promptly, it may cause swelling that spreads to the jaws and the face as well as other parts of the body risking the life of a patient, explain dentists who work in a reputed emergency dental clinic in London for years together. You must see a dentist as quickly as possible if you suspect you have developed a dental abscess. Meanwhile rinse the mouth thoroughly several times a day with lukewarm saltwater solution to keep the infection under control.
For prompt and professional care, visit Dental Clinic Chelsea, where experienced emergency dentists are available to treat urgent dental issues with skill and compassion.
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