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Dental Emergencies

Most Common Dental Emergencies and How to Prevent Them

Authored by: Dr.Sofia Hawelia (orthodontist) 

The first thing that people notice about you is your beautiful smile. Everyone takes their smile for granted. But as soon as something is wrong, attention only goes towards it. 

Dental emergencies may arrive at any moment, such as a sudden toothache or a knocked-out tooth during a game. 

This blog will help you explore issues that may arise, the most common ones people face and a few simple steps that can be taken to manage and prevent them.

What do you mean by dental emergencies?

A dental emergency is any oral condition that needs immediate action to stop bleeding, to relieve chronic pain and save a tooth. Conditions such as uncontrolled bleeding right after tooth extraction, or a tooth being completely avulsed, or a crown that suddenly becomes loose, all qualify as dental emergencies.

After this, the next step is to act quickly because delaying the care might turn it into an untreatable issue, a more serious one. Thus, knowing the urgency and acting on it immediately and appropriately can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

Different Types of Dental Emergencies:

Here are the four most frequent types of dental emergencies that people may encounter. For each of them, there is also detailed advice on tips on how to manage the emergency and prevent it from happening again.

1. Avulsed Tooth:

When a tooth gets completely knocked out, each second is counted to save it.

In such cases, it becomes important to manage dental emergencies effectively.

How to Manage:

  1. Always pick the tooth by the crown in a careful manner. Avoid any contact with the roots where the delicate cells live.
  2. Rinse the avulsed tooth under cool water so that all the debris is removed. Do not make the mistake of scrubbing or using soap, as this damages the fibres that are needed for reattachment.
  3. If it is possible, reinsert the tooth in the socket by aligning it properly. In case it is painful or difficult, try to keep it moist in a container of milk or the patient’s saliva.
  4. Within 30-60 minutes, go straight to your dentist or a nearby emergency clinic for the best chance of saving the tooth.

How to Prevent:

  1. Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard when playing sports or activities, including high-risk activities and falls.
  2. Go for proper orthodontic alignment so that the teeth distribute the biting forces and also reduce the chance of one being dislodged.
  3. Keep hard objects like bottle caps, coffee mugs away from your teeth. 
  4. Discuss with your dentist what other protective devices you can use if you grind your teeth during sleep.

2. Lost Filling or Crown:

A crown or a lost filling leaves a tooth exposed to several kinds of bacteria, temperature changes and pressure from biting.

How to Manage:

  1. Find and rinse the filling or the crown under warm water, ensuring that it is intact to be reused temporarily.
  2. Dab some over-the-counter dental cement inside the crown before seating it back over the tooth.
  3. Do not chew on that side and eat soft foods until your appointment.
  4. Contact your dentist to restore or refit a crown.

How to Prevent:

  1. Avoid sugary and acidic foods because the decay around a filling can weaken its seal over time.
  2. Practice brushing and flossing around crowns to remove the yellow plaque.
  3. Go for regular checkups so that your dentist detects tiny gaps in the restoration before they fail.
  4. In case of slight discomfort, get it checked immediately instead of waiting for it to pop out.

3. Cracked or Broken Teeth:

A fracture or a crack causes a sharp pain when the temperature changes or even while biting.

Dental Emergencies

How to Manage:

  1. Wash your mouth nicely with warm water to remove all the blood and dirt so that you can see the issue.
  2. Use a cold compress on the cheek as it minimises swelling and numbs the pain.
  3. If bleeding occurs, apply gauze over the broken part and bite firmly and gently to control it.
  4. Always get in touch with your dentist within 24 hours.

How to Prevent:

  1. Do not chew on popcorn kernels, hard candy or other rigid items.
  2. In case you grind or clench your teeth, ask your dentist to provide you with a soft nightguard to cushion your teeth.
  3. Go for routine dental exams so that minute fractures can be seen through X-rays before they develop into full breaks.
  4. Strengthen your enamel health using a good fluoride toothpaste. 
  5. Avoid drinking acidic drinks as they can soften tooth surfaces.

4. Dislodged Tooth or Loose Tooth:

To avoid permanent damage because of dental emergencies, a tooth that feels loose after any kind of trauma needs immediate stabilisation.

How to Manage:

  1. A gentle bite down on a piece of sterile gauze helps keep the tooth in a particular position and helps in reducing the bleeding around the gum line.
  2. Do not touch or wiggle around the loose tooth as it can impede healing.
  3. Always elevate the patient’s head and apply a cold pack to relieve discomfort.
  4. Always be alert and arrange for an emergency, as your dentist may splint the loose tooth to the healthy tooth, and this helps in giving support while the ligament heals.

How to Prevent:

  1. Use a fitted mouthguard during sports or physical activities.
  2. Address all your gum diseases.
  3. Correct all the malaligned bites or crooked teeth through the orthodontic treatment.
  4. Always maintain periodontal check-ups to monitor the health of the gums and catch the signs of tooth mobility early.

 

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies:

Attend biannual check-ups

It is recommended not to ignore your dental pain and always trust the expert for the same. Dr. Sofia can solve your problem by identifying weakened fillings, early decay, or orthodontic issues during routine visits.

Avoid hard and sticky foods

We know cravings can be difficult to handle, but they directly damage our gums. Hard candies, ice, popcorn kernels, and sticky sweets should be avoided as they can crack your teeth and damage your braces, leading to sudden pain and emergency visits.

Never use teeth as tools

We often do not realise the damage we cause to our teeth by simply opening packages, soda cans, or cracking nutshells with our teeth. They can cause fractures and chips. It’s recommended to always use appropriate tools instead of risking dental damage.

Follow orthodontic maintenance instructions

For patients using braces or aligners, it is advisable to strictly adhere to expert opinion and be consistent with the appointments so that the treatment goes as per schedule and shows visible results

Best dental Emergency Care in Kolkata

In case of any dental emergency, Dr Sofia should be your go-to trusted Dentist in Kolkata. She ensures same-day appointments, prioritises emergencies and makes sure her clients feel a sense of comfort during any situation, right from toothaches, broken teeth, to fillings and braces as well.

Conclusion

As we all know, emergencies don’t give you a prior intimation before occurring and hence it becomes difficult to trust someone, especially when it comes to your smile. Right orthodontic treatments and soft tissue injuries, everything is taken care of at Dr Sofia’s clinic. She believes in providing quick relief, preventing complications and works towards preserving your overall oral health. Remember, recognising these emergencies early on can make a difference in their treatment, as we only recommend experts when it comes to your smile.

Read more: The Secret of Strong Teeth and Healthy Gums: Why Regular Dental Cleanings Matter

FAQ

  • How can I manage severe tooth pain before reaching the clinic?

    It is recommended that you rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, take over-the-counter pain relievers (except aspirin if there is bleeding) and apply a cold compress, seek professional advice, and call our office to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Sofia.

  • When should a broken tooth be considered an emergency?

    Any broken tooth with sharp edges, significant pain, or exposure of the inner layers requires emergency attention. Even little cracks ought to be examined promptly, or they might spread.

  • Can children's dental emergencies be treated at Dr. Sofia's clinic?

    Absolutely. Dr. Sofia provides emergency dental care for patients irrespective of their age criteria, including specialised care for children with dental injuries or pain. If your little one is suffering from severe tooth pain, take him to Dr. Sofia for immediate relief and care.