SOS! Dental Emergency Tips to Save Your Smile
A dental emergency is a problem affecting the teeth, jaws, and oral soft tissues requiring immediate attention. When not attended to right away, it can lead to further injuries, infections or damage. Read on to learn about dental emergencies and when to visit the emergency dentist in Oxnard.
What to Do Right Away When a Dental Emergency Occurs
A dental emergency can take place at any time or place. Fortunately, taking the right steps will help save any affected tooth and stop the pain, bleeding or swelling. It will also prevent further damage or infection to the tooth. Below are tips on what to do immediately after a dental emergency occurs.
- Assess the extent of the dental injury
Most dental emergencies involve pain and discomfort. However, you should compose yourself and assess the damage to your oral tissues. Use a mirror or your phone camera to check for issues such as lacerations and broken, chipped or missing teeth. Note all the problems so that you can give your dentist precise details.
- Stop or minimize the bleeding
If you are bleeding, find the source of the blood. You can use clean water to easily clean your mouth and locate the bleeding area. If you have holes that cause bleeding, pack them with gauze, a tea bag or a cotton ball to minimize the bleeding. However, do not apply excess pressure on the area because you may cause further bleeding or injury.
- Contact a dentist
Once you have noted the issues and stopped the bleeding, call your dentist. If they are not available, call an emergency dentist in Oxnard. Explain the cause of the dental emergency and the condition of your mouth in detail.
The expert will provide further instructions in caring for the affected area. This information will help them determine if you have a true emergency. If necessary, they will request you to visit them immediately for treatment. Alternatively, they may ask you to wait for a convenient time for treatment. They usually do this if the issue is not an emergency.
- Store any broken or dislodged teeth
Some dental emergencies lead to broken or avulsed teeth. In such a scenario, you should retrieve the broken or fallen pieces of the tooth. Clean them carefully to avoid damaging the attached ligaments. Then, store the pieces in a container with warm water or milk to preserve them and take them to the dental office.
Indications of When to Call a Dentist
Issues with the mouth cause great discomfort and can prevent you from sleeping or eating. So, most people who experience dental pain and discomfort want immediate care from the emergency dentist in Oxnard. However, not all oral problems require emergency treatment.
Below are examples of dental emergencies. They will help you know when to wait or rush to an emergency dentist near you. See a dentist at Dentistry by Sea Bridge immediately if you have some of the issues below.
- Excruciating tooth or gum abscesses
- Continuous bleeding from the mouth
- Severe pain that does not respond to painkillers
- Broken facial bones
- Knocked out tooth
- Extruded tooth
- Badly cracked tooth
- Severe oral soft tissue injury
Suggestions for Reducing the Risk of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies cannot be prevented, but you can reduce their risk. Here are tips to help you reduce the risk of dental emergencies.
- Practice proper daily dental hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth every day using proper techniques and products. Good oral hygiene will prevent issues that contribute to dental emergencies. These include tooth decay, gum disease, abscesses and tooth erosion.
- Wear appropriate Mouthguards
Mouthguards protect your teeth from dental trauma or excessive wear. If you participate in sports or contact physical activities, get customized mouthguards from a dentist. Get nightguards if you clench or grind your teeth due to bruxism.
- Get preventive dentistry treatments
The dentist in Oxnard, CA, provides treatments that help reduce the risk of dental emergencies. For instance, they provide fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth. They also offer dental sealant treatments to help prevent tooth decay.
- Take the right foods and beverages
Sugar and carbohydrates promote plaque formation resulting in decay and oral infections. Acidic foods and drinks wear down the tooth enamel, weakening it and making it vulnerable to injury. Therefore, you should avoid over-consumption of sugars, carbohydrates and acids. Instead, take foods with calcium and vitamins that keep your teeth and gums healthy and resistant to injury and decay.