Dental Emergencies In NYC
Dental care often involves preventative and planned care, but dental emergencies – which are often painful - can also occur and make more immediate care necessary. Without prompt care, you could prolong your pain and increase your risk of needing more extensive treatment. It can also lead to permanent damage.
In this blog, the dentists at Dental365 explain some common types of dental emergencies and offer advice on what you can do before you see the dentist.
Swollen Face
Swelling is often a sign of an infection, which can occur in a tooth or bone or in your gums. This issue can be very serious, and you should see a dentist as soon as possible. If you don’t receive prompt treatment for this dental emergency, it may lead to an infection, that in rare cases can develop into a fatal condition.
In addition, you should remain upright instead of lying flat – even when you sleep. Make sure to get plenty of fluids, since getting dehydrated can raise your risk of complications.
Knocked-out Tooth
Seeing a dentist quickly is extremely important if you have a tooth knocked out, as it has the greatest chance of being saved within an hour after the injury.
After you retrieve your tooth, hold it by the part that’s usually exposed in your mouth (the crown). If its root is dirty, gently rinse if off with water. Put it back into your socket if possible, but if not, put it in a small container of milk. If you don’t have milk, you can substitute a cup of water with a pinch of salt added to it.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or broken tooth may need a filling (if the damage is small), a crown (if the damage is large), or a tooth extraction and implant (if it’s cracked all the way through).
If this happens to you, save any broken pieces of tooth and rinse them – and your mouth - with warm water. If you’re bleeding, apply gauze to the area for about 10 minutes. You can also apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce pain and swelling until you get to the dentist who can take care of your dental emergency.
Toothache
A toothache can be caused by several problems, including a cavity, gum disease, or grinding your teeth.
Your dentist can identify the cause of your pain and determine the best way to treat it. As you are waiting to see your dentist, you should thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water and take an Ibuprofen to help control the pain and inflammation.
Object Stuck Between Your Teeth
An object such as food that gets stuck between your teeth or between your tooth and gum can cause pain and inflammation.
Use floss to try to dislodge the item, but if it isn’t working, you can try tying one or several knots in the floss to help. A flossing stick can also help you reach areas in the back of your mouth more easily.
If you have a dental emergency, contact Dental365 today at 844-365-DENTAL. We have multiple convenient locations throughout New York, and many are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you get the immediate, high-quality care you or your loved one needs. Fill out the form on this page to request an appointment or call 844-365-DENTAL to learn more.
