Dealing with dental emergencies: doing the right things at the right time

About 2 million individuals visit the emergency room due to dental problems in the US every year. Sadly, Fort Myers is no exception to this. But the good thing is that a professional and experienced dentist in Fort Myers can help you in the moments of a dental crisis. 

The best thing about emergency dental care is that they are available round the clock throughout the year. So, whether it’s early in the morning or late in the night, you can always reach out to them in case of a dental emergency.

What are dental emergencies?

Any suddenly occurring dental problem that needs immediate attention is a dental emergency. While all dental problems aren’t dental emergencies, issues like uncontrollable bleeding, severe pain that doesn’t get better with medications, and broken teeth or facial bones are the dental emergencies you cannot ignore. 

Following are some common dental emergencies that may require you to visit an emergency room.

• Severe toothache
• A partially or completely knocked-out tooth
• A badly cracked tooth
• Dental abscess
• A broken or lost dental restoration
• Busted lip, deep cut, or other severe soft tissue injury
• Swelling, numbness, or bleeding in the gums
• Discoloration of gums around the teeth
• Difficulty or pain while drinking liquids or chewing food 
• A severe bacterial, fungal, or viral infection

Benefits of emergency dentistry

Dental emergencies can cause throbbing pain and discomfort and can even lead to permanent damage if not treated immediately. The sole purpose of emergency dentistry is to cater to the urgent needs of those suffering from dental emergencies. Here’s how emergency dentistry can benefit you.

• The primary goal of emergency dentistry is to alleviate the pain and discomfort to ensure immediate relief. Emergency dentists can quickly identify the root of the problem and immediately provide appropriate treatment for the condition.
• Emergency dentistry also prevents the condition from getting worse and eliminates the possibility of severe complications. 
• Emergency dentistry can be a real savior in cases of knocked-out teeth. If you preserve a completely knocked-out tooth and reach emergency dental care within a very short time, your chances of reimplanting the knocked-out tooth can go significantly higher.
• Dental emergencies come in very handy in cases of trauma or bleeding injuries that may be prone to infections. Dentists quickly assess the situation and take necessary measures to stop the bleeding and eliminate the risks of infection.
• Moreover, other than treating emergency conditions, emergency dentistry can be beneficial in quickly diagnosing existing underlying dental conditions that may go unnoticed.

Managing symptoms yourself in case of a dental emergency

Although emergency dentistry can help you with an immediate dental crisis, here are some measures you can take to manage pain and discomfort in different scenarios.

• In case of a severe toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water, floss to remove lodged food, or apply a cold compress if you have swelling. 
• You can also take over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, but never put them against gums or teeth as they can cause burns.
• In case of a cracked tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply gauze to stop the bleeding. A cold compress can also help you alleviate the pain and swelling.
• In case of a completely knocked-out tooth, hold your tooth by the head and rinse it with water, but don’t remove any attached tissues. If possible, put back the tooth in its place the right way, if not, place it in a small container with milk in it or a cup of water with a pinch of salt in it. It’ll give your dentist a good chance of reinstating the tooth.
• In case of an abscess, you can rinse your mouth with a salt and water solution (½ teaspoon table salt in a cup of water) to draw the pus toward the surface and ease the pain.

Final takeaway

A dental emergency can be a traumatic experience that requires the immediate attention of a dental expert. Therefore, you need to act promptly and seek professional dental care as soon as possible to address the condition and prevent further complications.