Experiencing a Dental Emergency? Here’s What You Need to Know.
A dental emergency can be a serious, time-sensitive situation.
If you find yourself in a dental emergency, seek help immediately – it could mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth!
But how do you know if you’re experiencing a true dental emergency? And who should you turn to for help?
What’s considered a dental emergency?
While some dental issues require fast action, many can also wait until normal business hours.
It’s important to know the difference so you can react appropriately.
Here are a few common dental emergency scenarios and what to do about them:
You’re experiencing severe and unbearable tooth pain.
You should never ignore any unrelenting pain in your mouth.
Get yourself to a qualified emergency dentist immediately.
You’ve knocked out a tooth.
If you’ve lost an adult tooth, time is of the essence.
If you can get to an emergency dentist within the hour, they may be able to reinsert and preserve your tooth.
Gently pick up the tooth by the crown (the top part), being careful not to touch the root.
Rinse it lightly with water. Don’t scrub or abrade the tooth in any way.
If possible, reinsert the tooth back in the socket and hold in place while you are on your way to the dentist.
If you can’t reinsert it, place the tooth in a small container of milk.
Again – don’t delay treatment!
You’ve cracked or chipped a tooth.
Clean your mouth out with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce any swelling.
You may also wish to take a painkiller such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to make the pain more bearable.
If it’s a very small crack and you’re not in any pain, you may not need an immediate emergency dental appointment. If it’s a weekend or after business hours, you may be able to until the morning to seek treatment.
Otherwise, if you are in pain and the fracture is substantial, get yourself to the dentist ASAP.
If you’re in any doubt about the situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You have an abscessed tooth or swelling in your gums.
A dental abscess is an infected pocket of pus that is often severely painful.
Take these infections very seriously, as they can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and the infection is allowed to spread.
Any painful swelling in your mouth shouldn’t be ignored. Seek treatment right away.
Where should I go for help in a dental emergency?
A trusted dentist in Wichita, KS should be the first person you turn to.
If it’s a holiday or outside normal business hours, your next best solution is an emergency dental clinic.
If you don’t have an emergency dental clinic available nearby, the emergency room should be your last resort.
Why?
Most hospitals are ill-equipped…Opens in a new window to article about ER dental visits… to provide appropriate, comprehensive dental care.
They’ll likely provide temporary relief with a “band-aid” solution, such as antibiotics or pain medication, without fully addressing the underlying dental issue.
That means you’re likely to end up back at the hospital when the problem returns.
Dentists have specialized training, equipment, and qualified staff to provide appropriate, long-term treatment for your dental emergency.
Experiencing a dental emergency in Wichita, KS?
We’re here for you!
Give us a call immediately and we’ll do everything we can to see you right away.
In less urgent situations, you may also email us at info@smileconnectionsdental.com.
As a patient of ours, you’ll have specialized access to priority emergency care. Be sure to save our number in your phone and be prepared for any dental emergency!
Our dental office in Wichita, KS proudly serves its neighboring communities, including Eastborough, Oaklawn-Sunview, Maize, Bel Aire, Park City, Goddard, Andale, Colwich, Clearwater, and Andover, KS.