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Common Dental Emergencies And How To Deal With Them

Dental emergencies can occur at any time, and it is useful to know what to do when an emergency happens. If you have an adult tooth that comes loose because of a fall, or a tooth falls out, fast action is necessary to save the tooth. If you have pain in a tooth, pain relievers and an ice pack may work temporarily. If the problem is an abscess, you will need treatment as soon as possible to relieve the infection and your pain. When you break a tooth, or you have signs of a gum abscess, it's important to get help to avoid further complications with your oral health.

If You Have an Abscess

You may notice what looks like a pimple on your gums below your teeth. This can be very painful, and may ooze when touched. When this occurs, you have an abscess in your gum that needs to be treated with antibiotics to cure the infection. An abscessed gum can lead to an infection in your tooth, or can be a result of a tooth that is already infected.

When a Tooth Falls Out

If you are an adult and an accident causes a tooth to fall out, your first step is to find the tooth and keep it moist. Rinse the tooth off, but don't touch the root if possible. Put the tooth back into the socket if you can. If you aren't able to put the tooth back in, hold it in your cheek to keep it moist and get to one of the local emergency dentists right away. You have less than an hour to get that tooth into place, or you won't have enough time to save the tooth.

If a Tooth is Suddenly Painful

Sudden pain in one of your teeth can be a dental emergency. If you already know that you have a cavity in the area, it could have become infected. If you are feeling sinus pressure, the issue could be with your sinuses and not with your teeth at all. Sharp or intense pain should be assessed immediately, especially when the pain doesn't stop. If pain only occurs when touching hot or cold food, this sensitivity could be cracked tooth that needs to be repaired.

Dental emergencies can occur when you have an accident, or if an infection sets in quickly. Pain that is intense may need to be addressed at the emergency room. If you need emergency dental care, get help as fast as you can.