Different Types of Dental Emergencies You Should Know About
Perhaps you have a toothache or a chipped tooth, but you aren’t sure whether you should do something about it or if it can wait until your next regularly scheduled dentist appointment. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies that you should know about. If any of these happen to you, make sure you’re taking these tips to heart and getting yourself the relief, you need from an outstanding general practice dentistry in Houston, TX.
Toothaches
Toothaches may be the most common and most frequently disregarded dental emergencies there are. If you have a tooth that really feels horrible, call a dentist right away. They will have you describe your symptoms and will most likely have you come in to the office. In the meantime, taking over the counter pain medication and putting an ice pack on your cheek while you wait for your appointment time is a good idea.
Lost Fillings
While regular visits to see your dentist can largely prevent you from losing fillings, there are other factors that may pop one of your fillings out. A broken or lost filling can cause immense tooth sensitivity and can have severe repercussions if left untreated. Make an emergency appointment with your dentist but if they are unable to see you at a moment’s notice, putting a chewed piece of sugarless gum over the area where the filling was may work while you wait.
Broken Tooth
You need to see a dentist as soon as you break a tooth because this can cause serious problems just depending on how large the break is. For small fractures, filling material may be used to fill in the hole and make your tooth as strong as it was before. Larger fractures, on the other hand, often require more intensive procedures like root canals and crowns. The good news is that broken teeth seldom require a total tooth extraction.
Knocked Out Tooth
In the dental world, knocked out teeth are also referred to as avulsed teeth. When it’s realized in time, you may be able to save the tooth, so it’s best to not wait any amount of time after an avulsed tooth to call your dentist. If the tooth is clean and hasn’t been swallowed, you can even put the tooth back into its socket before visiting the dentist. Otherwise, place the tooth in a glass of milk and visit the nearest dentist as soon as possible.
A dental emergency can happen at any time and they usually do. Rather than suffer for weeks or months until your next appointment, know what constitutes a dental emergency and when you need to hop in the car and visit a general family dentistry in Houston, TX, right away.
