Top 6 Dental Emergencies To Be Aware Of

Dr. Marjan Moghadam Prosthodontist Stamford, CT

Marjan Moghadam, DDS, MA, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University in 2002. Following her General Practice Residency at Long Island College Hospital in 2003, she earned her certificate in prosthodontics, as well as a Masters’ degree in psychology. Both serve her well at Stamford Dental Arts. As... more

Even a slight toothache or cavity is unpleasant to experience, but they are nothing in comparison to a dental injury that requires immediate attention. Nobody ever imagines they or their child would have a sudden, serious oral trauma until it really occurs.

It might be difficult to determine when you need emergency dental treatment and when you can wait. The important thing is that even while there may be a lot of blood if you damage a tooth, the seriousness of the damage may not necessarily be indicated by its volume. 

Here is a list of typical dental injuries for which you want to get immediate treatment:

1. Knocked-out tooth
You might completely lose a tooth as a result of an accident or a sports injury. If this occurs, you will have the best chance of preserving the tooth and having it reinstalled into your mouth if you act fast.

Avoid touching the tooth near the root. Instead, grab it by a crown and rinse it gently with water. Also, don't use soap or cover it with anything until you get to the emergency dentist

Reinstall the tooth in the socket and try keeping it in place with your tongue. Keep it wet at all costs and if you can't put it back in your mouth, soak it in milk.

You'll have the best potential to save your tooth by following these recommendations. Consider buying tooth preservation products to keep at home or in your car.

2. Dental intrusion 
A tooth intrusion is usually caused by an injury that forced your teeth deep into your gum.

an intrusion is the most dangerous kind of tooth displacement. In most cases, this type of injury ends in pulpal necrosis. When this occurs, the pulp (which contains blood vessels and nerves) within your tooth starts to decay. Although the condition cannot be reversed, your dentist can move your tooth into a more preferable position via surgery.

3. An abscessed tooth 
A pus-filled pocket that forms around the infected tooth's root is known as an abscess. Failure to treat may result in the infection spreading from your jaw to other areas of your body.

Treatment is necessary, and your dentist may suggest antibiotics, carrying out a root canal or an extraction, or they may first need to surgically remove the abscessed portion of your tooth before carrying out any other treatments.

4. Sudden, extreme toothache 
One of the most difficult kinds of pain to bear is intense, chronic toothache. It might make it difficult for you to go to sleep or focus on anything else. It is much more than a distraction. Additionally, you can experience swelling and have a terrible taste in your mouth. Fever is also a possible side effect of toothaches.

This sort of toothache is frequently brought on by an infection or damage to the pulp, an inner layer of your tooth that contains nerves. Tooth decay, gum disease, an abscess, a damaged tooth, and teeth grinding are some of the most prevalent culprits behind toothaches.

5. A fractured or cracked tooth 
These types of damage often indicate that your tooth's pulp has been injured, which increases your chance of developing pulp necrosis.

If your dentist discovers damaged pulp in your tooth, treatment options include a root canal. However, if your pulp is unharmed, a crown may be the best option. An X-ray is often required by your dentist to establish the precise degree of the injury.

6. A lost filling
Even the best dental restorations have a limited lifetime. Frequent pain  is a sign of a filling that gots lost or fell out. If this occurs, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

A root canal or crown may be necessary if you have a deep cavity, in addition to fresh replacement fillings in some cases. Additionally, it's crucial to get treatment right away since continuing to have a cavity without a filling for a long time may increase your chance of developing decay and losing teeth. Teeth damage can occasionally cause discoloration. Your dentist can provide whitening solutions to address this problem.