Sudden-onset toothache?
Never, ever, ignore a toothache, even if the pain seemingly vanished. Often this means that the nerve of the tooth has died, giving you temporary relief, but the bacteria that caused the problem is still lingering inside the tooth. Inevitably this bacteria will cause a future, potentially life-threatening infection, which may require removal of the tooth. When you experience a toothache: Pay attention to the specifics of the pain. Mentally take note of how long the pain lasts, whether you see any swelling, and what seems to trigger it (pressure, hot, cold, etc) Use OTC pain relievers like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or Naproxen (Aleve) Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water or saline. This won’t heal an infection or “cure” the problem but it can ease the gum swelling. Contact Woodin Creek right away for emergency dental care.
Broken tooth (or teeth)?
With fractured teeth, you may or may not be able to even see the damage, and it might not be painful all the time. The tooth may only experience pain when biting, or, eating something hot or cold. Sometimes the damage may be very visible, with severe, constant pain, because the nerve is exposed or damaged. In any case, it is important to be seen by us as soon as possible. But if you are not able to make it to Woodin Creek right away, do the following: Gently rinse out your mouth with warm water Use gauze and apply gentle pressure to any injured areas in order to stop the blood flow. Apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the area in question. Take an OTC pain medication. DON’T place pain relievers such as Aspirin on the tooth or the injured gums! It won’t help, and it may chemically burn the soft tissues. If you can’t see a dentist soon, OTC temporary dental filling material may be a viable option for sealing up gaps and cracks.
Lost a tooth?
Find the tooth. Avoid touching the tooth root. Carefully pick it up by the crown. Touching the root can contaminate it and make it harder for us to reattach the tooth. Gently rinse/wash the tooth in saliva, milk, or a special tooth-preserving solution. The tooth must remain moist at all times. You can try holding the tooth inside your mouth, secured between your cheek and gums, or keep it in a container of milk. Do not use water! You can apply an ice pack or a cold compress to the side of your face where the injury occurred in order to reduce pain and swelling. Contact us and come in as soon as possible.
Bleeding or Swollen Gums
Visiting the local dentist in case of severe pain is understandable. However, you might overlook underlying issues that cause problems like swollen or bleeding gums. If your gums do not stop bleeding, it’s time to consider urgent dental care. So, seek treatment without any delay in such a scenario.
Missing Filling
A lost filling requires instant emergency care. Overlooking this condition can lead to a chipped tooth or expose the delicate nerves. An emergency dentist can quickly initiate the procedure to insert a new filling to prevent dental infections. So, quick treatment can prevent future complications like the requirement of a root canal.
