A dental emergency often strikes when you least expect it. For some people sudden pain can occur when they wake up one morning, whilst for other people the pain can gradually build up until it is no longer bearable. In the case of tooth pain, whether it arrives suddenly or worsens and intensifies over time, you should always contact a dental practitioner as soon as possible to ensure that your problem does not worsen or cause further additional damage. If you have been involved in an accident that has resulted in your tooth being knocked out then it is vital to make an appointment as soon as possible, as this will give you the highest chances of saving and restoring your original tooth. Searching for ‘a dentist near me’ can help you to narrow down your search and find a practitioner that is local to you, saving you time and stress.
Instructions on how to look after a knocked out tooth
Having a tooth fall out is never convenient, especially not during a painful accident that you are incredibly unprepared for. Not a lot of people know how to look after a tooth if it has fallen out, but it is important to look after it properly if you wish to avoid damaging it and have it restored successfully. The first thing to do when your tooth falls out is to find it. Quickly! Once you have found it you should make sure to only touch the white part of it. This is the crown, the part of your tooth that is visible within your mouth. At the other end of your tooth are its roots. It is extremely important that you do not touch the roots, as this could cause further damage to your tooth and prevent it from being able to be restored. Keeping your tooth clean is essential and can be done by placing it in milk or your own saliva. Do not try to put your tooth back in, but if it pops easily back into its socket without any force then you can gently bite down on a damp cloth that has been soaked in milk, to keep it in place until you arrive at your appointment. If your child loses one of their baby teeth you should never try and put it back into place, as this could damage the adult tooth that is growing below.
What else is considered as a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies do not only consist of missing teeth, they can be centred around a variety of other issues as well. Wisdom teeth can often end up causing people a lot of pain and in some circumstances will need to be removed because they are not growing through as they should be, and this can sometimes be an emergency depending on your individual circumstances. Abscesses and swellings can also be a cause for concern and require an emergency appointment, as these things can quickly lead on to further more complicated problems if they are left untreated. Sometimes the cause of tooth pain can be difficult to discover, so it is important to make an appointment if you are in pain, even if you are not sure why.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.