What To Do When You Have a Dental Emergency?

Dental Emergencies can occur at any time making a regular day turn into a bad or stressful one. It may be a severe toothache, chipped tooth or an injury to the jaw. It is very important to know how to handle the situation. At ZUF Dental Care we know how stressful these moments may be but with the right information and especially attitude, everything changes. Below is a comprehensive article that focuses on what to do when a dental emergency occurs besides offering detailed information on how to prepare for any calamity.

Tips to Handle a Dental Emergency

• Knowing When a Dental Problem is an Emergency

Defining what constitutes an emergency in a dental practice is fundamental to defining any action. Periodontal diseases in particular can be mild or severe and patients may not necessarily need treatment at the initial stage. However, if you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s time to act fast:

• Prolonged toothache that cannot be relieved by simple over the counter medication
• Chipped or cracked tooth, or even a broken tooth
• A knocked-out tooth
• Contaminations, for example, vomiting, unmanageable diarrhea, haematemesis, and gum hemorrhage.
• Sharp rise in the size of your mouth, gums or face
• Some food item can get in between your teeth and if it can’t be removed gives the feeling of an object being stuck.

If you are in doubt whether your case can be categorized as an emergency or not, then it is advisable to go he/she safe side. At ZUF Dental Care, it’s just a phone call to reach you, to guide and support whenever necessary.

• What To Do In Case Of A Toothache

People can have sharp toothaches or severe toothaches at any given time of the day, or month, or year. If you’re experiencing a sudden toothache, follow these steps:

• Rinse your mouth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to help reduce inflammation and wash out any substances which may be causing the discomfort.
• Floss gently: When you feel some irritation due to food particles trapped in between the teeth. It may help to try to floss very lightly around the sore area because this might help.
• Apply a cold compress: In case of such inflammation, an ice pack applied to the outside of your cheek will do a lot to bring down the swelling and numb the pain.
• Take pain relief: Make sure to consult with a professional but taking fever reducing painkillers can help with the pain in the meantime.

But these are indeed temporary measures. You should ensure that you visit ZUF Dental Care for a check up and treatment as soon as possible. Failure to address a toothache results in more serious conditions such as infections.

• How to deal with a knocked out tooth

Loosened teeth are a catastrophic ordeal in dentistry but you can consider many options to save it. Here’s what to do:

• Find the tooth: If possible, search for the knocked out tooth and, using the crown part without roots, try to pick it up gently. Avoid touching the root.
• Rinse the tooth: Rinse the tooth with water but do not brush the tooth, do not use soap to wash the tooth either. This will assist in washing off dirt and other particles without causing harm to any other tissues connected to the root.
• Reposition the tooth: If it can be done then ensure that you put the tooth in its natural position in the mouth. It can be held in place with a clean cloth or tissue, just bite softly.
• Keep the tooth moist: If you are unable to reposition the tooth then it’s advisable to store it in a bottle of fresh milk or your own saliva. This will help save the tooth till time you can get to a dentist for professional assistance.

These are generally situations where time is quite of essence especially when one has lost his or her tooth. If a patient is able to get to ZUF Dental Care they can get help within 30 mins of having a tooth knocked out there is increased chances that the tooth can be salvaged.

• Managing Soft Tissue Injuries

If you experience a cut or injury to your lips, tongue, or gums, follow these steps:

• Rinse with salt water: Disinfect the affected area with warm salt water so that bacteria shall not pile up and cause additional infections.
• Apply pressure: If any bleeding occurs, it will suffice to apply a piece of clean cloth or gauze and apply some pressure.
• Use a cold compress: This will go a long way in preventing inflammation and thereby control the pain.

If the bleeding persists after 10 mins or if the wound is large, go see your doctor at ZUF Dental Care or go to the emergency room.

• Further Prevention of Dental Emergencies

While dental emergencies aren’t always avoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk:

• Maintain good oral hygiene: Frequency of brushing, flossing, and dental checkups at ZUF Dental Care will reduce cases of emergencies such as tooth decay and gum diseases.
• Wear a mouthguard: If you are an athlete or physically active and if you can imagine getting involved in any event that involves physical contact or something that could knock you off balance, a mouthguard will safeguard your teeth.
• Avoid hard foods: Biting on hard candies, ice or popcorn kernels can cause your teeth to crack and fillings to break.

Prevention of dental diseases is the only strategy that can be employed to prevent emergence of problems which are hard to manage.

• When to Reach Out to ZUF Dental Care

While not every dental issue ensures a visit to the emergency dentist, in case you are not so sure, do not hesitate to call ZUF Dental Care. Our team is experienced in dealing with emergencies, and will assist you in determining if you require urgent attention or if a consultation may be scheduled.

In an emergency, we provide pain relief, tooth repair or advice on home management. In case of an emergency you can contact us using the emergency telephone for dental care irrespective of the time of the day.

How to Prepare for a Dental Emergency

Though we hope that you do not have to g     o through any of them, it is always wise to prepare for an emergency. By having a plan you feel less stressed out and are likely to handle the event better when a dental emergency happens. Here are a few essential tips on how to be ready:

• Keep a Dental Emergency Kit

In cases such as these, having a small dental emergency kit in your home or in your car will go a long way. This list should include products such as gauze, small container with a lid, for avulsed tooth, saline, medicine for pain relief and the phone numbers of the dentist of ZUF Dental Care.

• Have your Dentist’s Emergency Contact Details

Make sure to take the contact details of your dentist, store the number in your phone and also, write it down somewhere you can easily check. ZUF Dental Care is available for emergency contact services if any such case arises in future, you will know our location.

• Regular Dental Check-ups

Emergencies are something that is totally preventable by means of regular dental check-ups. It can help you eliminate the pain of a cavity, gingivitis or other oral problems that may have started with little visible signs. Annual checkups at ZUF Dental Care minimize emergencies since we ensure your teeth and gum’s health is well checked.

At ZUF Dental Care, we strive to provide our patients with prompt and effective services during any kind of Dental Emergencies. Keep our number handy on your devices and be rest assured for the treatment to bring back your beautiful smile.