By EKalman March 8, 2024 - 6:47am

The most common dental emergencies are tooth decay, gum disease, and damaged teeth. While prevention via good dental care is the best approach to maintaining oral health, knowing what to do in an emergency can help prevent long-term problems. So, what are the most common dental emergencies?

1. Toothache
Pain is never a good sign, as it can signify a variety of problems, including dental decay. While some toothaches can be treated without an emergency, others, such as swelling, demand immediate attention. Avoid using popular medicines such as aspirin or other pain relievers because contact with the damaged gums might burn the tissue. Instead, place a cold compress on the outside of your cheek and contact a dental facility for emergency treatment. After your treatment, your dentist will emphasize the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene to avoid cavities, tooth decay, and other serious dental issues.

2. Chipped or broken teeth
Did you bite down on something too hard? A chipped or fractured tooth ruins your flawless smile and causes pain. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply gauze to the bleeding location. To minimize swelling and pain, apply a cold compress to the area of your face closest to the broken or chipped tooth. While seeking emergency dental care, your dentist will urge you to avoid biting down on hard and crunchy foods, as well as sports and other activities that might cause teeth to crack or chip.

3. Knocked-out tooth
Similarly, as with a chipped or fractured tooth, take it up by the crown (the exposed area in the mouth) and rinse only if the root is unclean. Otherwise, refrain from washing and removing adherent tissue fragments. Depending on the injuries, you may be able to reattach the tooth but be careful not to press it into the socket. The sooner you can accomplish this, preferably within an hour, the greater your chances of salvaging a knocked-out tooth and replacing it in place. If you are unable to reinsert the tooth, place it in a small cup of milk or water including a pinch of salt. This will help to save the tooth in time for an emergency restoration at the dental clinic.

4. Lost filling or crown
Crowns and fillings restore previously damaged teeth to their optimal beauty and function. So, if these breaks, you should have them treated quickly once to minimize further harm or infection.

Try this temporary solution while you wait for emergency dental care:
- Stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity, but do not attempt to repair the tooth yourself to avoid more damage. You can alternatively place the restoration in a zip-top bag and bring it to your dentist's office to be reapplied or replaced with a new crown.

5. Broken orthodontics
Braces are tough—these metal wires and brackets are meant to resist regular wear and tear from biting, eating, and even talking. Even so, they can shatter or stick out, poking your cheeks and gums. This not only causes discomfort but can also hinder or reverse the process of aligning and straightening the teeth. When this happens, try moving the broken wire to a more comfortable position. If this isn't an option, cover the exposed end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze. No matter how bothersome it is, do not cut the wire to avoid swallowing.

6. Abscess
Infections in the mouth, particularly around the base of a tooth or in the gap between the teeth and gums, are dangerous. Untreated, they can spread to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue, as well as the rest of the body. Do you have an abscess? Check your gums for a painful, pimple-like swollen area. Call the dental office immediately now for emergency treatment to avoid worsening oral health issues. Rinse your mouth with a gentle water solution and apply ice to the swollen area to provide relief.

7. Bleeding and pain after a tooth extraction
It is normal to have some post-operative pain and bleeding, but if these symptoms linger for more than an hour, contact your dentist immediately. Meanwhile, lay a thick gauze pad over the extraction wound and bite down to provide pressure. Rinsing, drinking, and eating are all bad ideas, as are sucking, spitting, and smoking.

If you have any of these dental emergencies and don’t know where to go, try searching for “emergency dentist near me” to find a specialist in your area.