Dealing with a dental emergency can be daunting. However, you can stop the situation from spiraling out of control by having a plan ahead of time. If you or your children experience a dental emergency, stay calm and take action quickly to ensure the best outcome for your scenario.

Understanding Dental Emergencies: Common Scenarios and Causes

Dental emergencies cover a wide range of different scenarios, from losing a filling to having a tooth knocked out. They can occur from a wide range of causes as well. The common thread is that they require immediate treatment to ensure that you or your child won’t face long-term oral health complications.

Sports injuries are among the most common sources of chips, cracks, and knocked-out teeth. If you or your child engage in sports, make sure to use sports mouth guards. These simple oral appliances can provide excellent protection and help you avoid dental emergencies. Sports mouth guards are very similar to the nightguards worn to prevent teeth grinding.

Any kind of physical trauma can lead to dental emergencies, such as an auto incident or even tripping and falling. Sometimes, the cause isn’t clear, and you simply have sudden, overwhelming tooth pain. In any case, you need to stay calm and take action.

Immediate Steps for Dental Emergencies: What to Do First

The first steps will depend on the type of dental emergency you’re experiencing. If a tooth has been knocked out, make sure to keep it. You’ll want to keep it moist to protect it. Depending on the extent and type of injury, you may attempt to place the tooth back in your mouth for safekeeping. Placing it in a glass of milk is also an option.

For a chipped tooth, gather any pieces you can. For any type of physical injury, you can rinse your mouth with warm water to help remove any excess blood and also to provide pain relief. Reach out to your dentist to determine whether you need immediate care or an appointment.

Staying Calm Under Pressure: Managing Anxiety During Dental Emergencies

One of the most challenging aspects of dental emergencies is the stress and panic that can emerge. Even if you aren’t at serious risk of permanent harm, the pain and uncertainty of a dental emergency can lead to mistakes.

To calm yourself, try to take deep breaths. If you’re communicating with someone, whether a family member or your dentist, over the phone, try to talk slowly and clearly.

If you’re helping your child through a dental emergency, you must stay calm. Your child’s reaction will be deeply influenced by how you respond. Speak clearly and confidently, and explain what’s happening in terms they’ll understand.

Contacting a Dental Professional: When and How to Seek Professional Help

When is the right time to call your dentist? In general, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Plenty of people have found themselves worse off because they didn’t want to bother their dentist with a seemingly minor issue. If you have any kind of injury or sudden toothache, don’t hesitate to call your dentist.

Ideally, you should have your dentist’s contact information saved in your phone, along with other emergency numbers. You don’t want to waste time trying to track down that information during a dental emergency. Once you reach your dentist, they’ll be able to provide information about whether you’ll need to come in immediately or for a later appointment.

If you can’t reach your dentist due to a dental emergency late at night, you may need to seek other help. For serious emergencies, visiting a hospital emergency room may be in order. This is particularly true for severe and unexplained tooth pain, which could be caused by a variety of urgent issues.

Temporary Relief Measures: Alleviating Discomfort Until Professional Care

A rinse with warm salt water can relieve pain for any type of dental emergency. You’ll want roughly a teaspoon of salt per one cup of water. Make sure to use warm water, not hot water. You don’t want to burn yourself and further exacerbate the injury.

You might have heard of placing aspirin directly on the gums or teeth to provide relief. You should not do this, as it can cause further irritation. Instead, take over-the-counter pain medication as usual for relief, and consider applying a cold compress to the cheek.

Your Family Dentist Near Wilson, NC, for Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies don’t have to send your family into a panic. Instead, remember that you’ve made a plan, and know the appropriate steps to take next. Dixon, Boles & Associates is your local family dentist in Wilson, NC, for emergencies, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.