Had a toothache pop up on a Saturday night or while you’re on vacation? Believe it or not, dental emergencies like this are extremely common.
In fact, 2 million people visit the ER each year for dental issues that could have been prevented with the right knowledge and action.
Thankfully, you can be prepared…
In this post, we’ll walk you through:
- What really counts as a dental emergency
- The most common dental emergencies for families
- What to do before reaching the dentist
- Emergency dentist or emergency room?
- Prevention tips for avoiding dental emergencies
Why Every Family Needs Emergency Dental Care Knowledge
Most families don’t think about dental emergencies until one pops up.
But dental injuries and emergencies are actually one of the most common health issues that families face – especially children and active adults. Knowing how to handle these situations the right way can mean the difference between saving a tooth and losing it forever.
Having access to family dental care services that provide emergency support is crucial. Luckily there are providers like dynamic dentistry az that offer high-quality family dental care services, including emergency support when you need it most. Having a familiar dentist that knows your family’s dental history makes handling an emergency so much easier.
Fact:
34 million school hours are lost each year due to emergency dental visits.
That’s a huge disruption to the family unit. Not to mention the pain and stress of emergency dental care.
What Qualifies As a Dental Emergency?
Dental problems don’t always need immediate attention.
But some do. Knowing the difference will save you time, money, and maybe even a tooth.
True dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-out permanent teeth
- Severe toothaches with facial swelling
- Broken or cracked teeth with pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth
- Dental abscesses or infections
- Lost fillings or crowns causing pain
- Jaw or facial bone injuries
These problems require immediate attention. Generally, within 30 minutes to one hour for the best chance of a positive outcome.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Let’s get into the details of what families experience most often…
Knocked-Out Teeth
This is the dental emergency that requires the FASTEST action.
If you knock out a permanent tooth, you have a 30-60 minute window to try and save it. Every minute counts.
How?
Pick the tooth up by the crown (white part). Do NOT touch the root of the tooth. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water but do NOT scrub it or use soap.
Goal:
Try to reinsert the tooth back into its socket immediately if possible. If not, preserve the tooth by placing it in a cup of milk or holding it in your mouth next to your cheek. The tooth needs to stay moist at all times.
Then get to the dentist IMMEDIATELY. Within 30 minutes is ideal.
Severe Toothaches
Toothaches are the most common of dental emergencies.
While most toothaches can wait for your next dental appointment, severe pain is a sign of infection or serious decay.
If you have extreme pain, swelling in your face/jawline, or fever, you need to call your dentist immediately.
In the meantime, rinse your mouth out with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food that might be stuck. Apply a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
NEVER apply aspirin or pain medication directly onto your gums. This can burn the gum tissue and cause further damage.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Broken teeth are more common than you think.
Save any broken pieces of teeth if you can find them. Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Apply gauze to any areas that are bleeding and hold in place for about 10 minutes.
You can also use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to help with swelling and pain.
Get to your dentist as soon as possible, even if the break appears to be small. What’s on the surface could be more extensive underneath.
Dental Abscesses
This one is a no-brainer. If you have a dental abscess, get to your dentist NOW.
A dental abscess is an infection, usually appearing as a painful, swollen bump on the gums.
If not treated, the infection will spread and can cause damage to the surrounding tissue, and even move into other areas of the body.
You can rinse with warm salt water and use a cold compress for temporary relief but you need to see your dentist immediately. Dental abscesses do not go away on their own.
Emergency Dentist or Emergency Room?
Here’s one of the most commonly-asked questions we get at the office…
Which is better for dental emergencies: the ER or the dentist?
The answer is: your dentist first, then the ER if needed.
Call your dentist first for:
- Knocked-out teeth
- Severe toothaches
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Lost fillings/crowns
- Dental abscesses
Your dentist is equipped with the tools and expertise to fix these problems properly. An emergency room can only give you pain medication and antibiotics at best. They cannot fix your teeth or jaw.
Go to the emergency room if you have:
- Uncontrolled bleeding that will not stop with pressure
- Broken jaw or facial bones
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Severe swelling that is affecting your eyes
These are considered medical emergencies and need to be treated at a hospital.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
There’s one thing better than treatment. Prevention.
While it’s not possible to prevent every dental emergency, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing them. Here’s how…
Regular dental checkups help detect potential issues before they become emergencies. Cavities can be filled before they grow into painful abscesses later.
Wearing protective gear during sports and other physical activities can prevent serious dental injuries. A mouthguard might be all that stands between your teeth and thousands of dollars in dental bills.
Avoid chewing ice, opening packages with your teeth, biting your nails, or using your teeth for other non-food purposes. These bad habits are surprisingly common causes of dental emergencies.
Keep your dentist’s emergency number in an easy-to-access place. Preferably programmed into your phone so you can call quickly in the event of an emergency. Don’t wait until a crisis to search for this number.
Know where the nearest 24-hour emergency dental clinic is located in your area.
Having an Emergency Plan
Smart families have a plan before an emergency happens.
Know where to go and who to call. Keep a copy of your dentist’s emergency contact info in an easily accessible place, and make sure everyone in the family knows where to find it.
Consider keeping a small dental emergency kit at home with these items:
- Gauze pads
- Salt for salt water rinses
- Small container with a lid
- Cold packs
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
The Bottom Line
Dental emergencies are one of the most stressful things you’ll deal with as a family.
But knowing what to do in the moment and taking quick action can help you handle these situations effectively. Time is of the essence when it comes to knocked-out teeth, severe infections, and uncontrollable bleeding.
Don’t wait for a dental emergency to figure out what you need to do. Take a few minutes now to store your dentist’s contact information and review these steps with the rest of your family.
Because when a dental emergency strikes, you will be READY…
…and that can make all the difference in saving a tooth.
Stay calm, act fast, and seek professional help immediately.
