Posted by Derek Magers on Aug 23 2022, 10:13 AM
Emergencies can occur when you least expect them to. There are a few signs that will let you know if you have a dental emergency. Obviously, pain is the obvious one, but there are a few other symptoms that you'll want to look out for as well.
Dental trauma is any injury to the face, mouth, or teeth.
This can be caused by any number of things, such as sports, falls, car accidents, and fights. The trauma can cause a tooth to be knocked out, chipped, cracked, loosened, or fractured.
Infection is a type of dental emergency that can quickly lead to more serious problems such as tooth loss. If left untreated, an infection can destroy the soft tissue and can affect the jaw bone.
It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is provided, the less damage the infection will have done.
After treatment, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene at home. Good oral health is the best defense against infections.
A toothache can be a sign of an abscessed tooth, a tooth infection, or TMJ disorder. While a toothache may not always be an emergency, you should call your dentist right away if you experience pain that lasts longer than an hour.
A dental emergency may involve a severe infection that results in swelling, bleeding from the gums, and fever. This infection could be caused by gum disease or a tooth infection.
A broken jaw or facial bones is a serious dental emergency. Typically, this type of injury is accompanied by a head injury, so it is critical that you seek immediate medical attention. If the injury is serious enough, you may need to be hospitalized.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help. Try to keep the jaw as still as possible. This will prevent further damage. You may also want to apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
Let's say you were eating a strawberry, and it got lodged between your teeth. That's one common dental emergency. It's often caused by a piece of food slipping between the teeth. What you do next is critical to saving that tooth.
Stop chewing. You should immediately stop chewing on that side. Otherwise, you could damage the tooth even more. Gently try to dislodge the food. Use dental floss, an interdental cleaner, or a toothpick to try to remove the object. Be gentle to avoid damaging the tooth. If you still can't get rid of it, then visit us immediately.
Sometimes, a patient will collapse completely when a dental emergency happens. This can be due to sudden, extreme pain, or it can be due to the patient's mental state. However, a jaw that locks in place is dangerous. The jaw needs to be manipulated back to the correct position.
To know more or schedule your consultation with our dentists, call our Springfield Location at (417) 887-3100 or the Branson West office at (417) 272- 3352.
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