A dental emergency in Tallahassee will happen when you least expect it, and the severity of it can vary. Some emergencies are considered low-level and can be temporarily stabilized at home, while others require more immediate attention. As you read on, your local dentist explains the difference between the two and what you should do for each type of .
What is a Dental Emergency?
Before proceeding, let’s establish a working definition of what a dental emergency is. It’s any situation that suddenly changes your dental health in a manner that alters your function. As a result, it may cause pain or excessive bleeding.
Low-Level Dental Emergencies
Any type of dental emergency should be taken seriously. The following, though, are considered low-level and can be temporarily stabilized at home:
- Toothache – Usually a sign of an infection, a toothache can initially be addressed by taking over-the-counter pain medication and applying ice to the outside of the affected area.
- Chipped Tooth – If a tooth is chipped, rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution. If there is any swelling, you can apply a cold compress.
- Swelling of the Jaw – For swelling, ibuprofen addresses the inflammation and provides pain relief. You can also apply a cold compress to the area.
- Large Object Stuck Between Teeth – To dislodge something stuck between your teeth, you can try flossing carefully.
- Injury to Gums or Other Soft Tissue – If you have bleeding or an injury to any of the soft tissue in your mouth, try gently biting down on a cotton gauze to stop the flow. If the bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes, then you should head to the emergency room immediately.
Emergencies That Require Fast Action
If you suspect that you’ve broken your jaw, go immediately to your local emergency room. If you have a dislodged tooth, that’s also a very time-sensitive matter, because you have between two and six hours to have the tooth reinserted successfully.
Dental Emergencies aren’t the End of the World
If you find yourself in a dental emergency, it’s important to remember not to panic. Take a deep breath, assess the situation and then call your emergency dentist in Tallahassee so your oral function can be restored.
Once you are back to normal, you should be sure to visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. While there, the professional will check for signs of a possible emergency on the horizon so you’ll have less chance of being blind-sided in the future.
About the Author
Since graduating with her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida, Dr. Ransey Boyd has made it her mission to provide each patient with the absolute best in oral care. A member of several professional organizations, she stays abreast of the latest changes in the world of dentistry to enhance the care she provides at , Boyd & Walther. Dr. Boyd can be reached for more information through her website.