Don’t Worry About Emergency Dental Help This Christmas

There are many dental problems, and it is often difficult to determine which dental emergency is and which one is not. In serious cases, getting to the dentist as soon as possible can be the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

In other cases, you can wait for a few hours or days before you visit the dentist, and your teeth will still be safe. In this blog, we will help you identify the common dental emergencies and then show you how to handle them.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Here are signs that suggest a certain dental problem is an emergency:

Broken Tooth

The severity of the breakage will determine if the problem is an emergency or not. If it is just a chip, you can wait for a day or two. If it is a severely broken tooth, you need to get to the dentist as soon as possible. Getting to the dentist fast will help with pain management as well as prevent the tooth from getting knocked out.

Unexplained Toothache

Toothaches are pretty common, but they are often a result of trauma or cavities. The toothache might also be a sign of gum disease. If the pain is minimal, you can wait for a few hours before you visit the dentist. If the pain is severe and not responding to painkillers, you should get to the dentist ASAP.

Bleeding Gums

It is not uncommon to experience some bleeding after flossing. In most cases, it is usually a sign of gum disease. However, if you are bleeding uncontrollably due to an accident, you should get to an ER as soon as possible. The doctor will control the bleeding before it gets worse and gives you medications to alleviate pain.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth gets knocked out while engaging in a physical sport, it is vital to get to the dentist as fast as possible. Delaying may mean losing your irreplaceable natural tooth.

What’s Not a Dental Emergency?

While it is wise to get to the dentist as soon as you identify a dental problem, some issues can wait for a few hours or days. These issues include:

• Chipped tooth. Just be careful while chewing since the tooth will be more susceptible to fractures.
• Less severe toothache as a result of a minor accident
• If your crown falls

How to Handle Dental Emergencies

Typically, how you react after experiencing an emergency can help save a tooth. Here is how to react during various dental emergencies:

Knocked-Out Tooth

• Pick the knocked-out tooth by the crown and rinse it in clean water.
• Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket and gently bite onto it.
• If you can’t handle the pain, put the tooth in a glass of milk or saltwater.
• Carry the tooth with you and get to the dentist ASAP. The faster you get there, the higher the chances of saving your tooth.

We are here for you if you require emergency dental services in Fort Myers.

Cracked Tooth

A fractured tooth is a serious issue, and you should get to the emergency dentist as soon as possible. Sometimes, the fracture can be too extreme to a point where the tooth cannot be saved. However, your chances of saving the tooth are higher if you follow these tips:

• Warm some water and rinse your mouth with it.
• Apply an ice-cold piece of cloth from the outside of the target tooth.
• Take recommended painkiller such as acetaminophen to alleviate pain.
• Get to the dentist ASAP.

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies

The best way to avoid having to visit an emergency dentist is to take proper care of your teeth. Clean them at least twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist every six months. Also, don’t use your mouth to cut nails, open bottle tops, crush ice, bite pencils, and other similar things. Finally, wear a mouthguard if you are active in physical sports.

Fort Myers Dental Arts

Dr. Jonathan Chouraqui is here for you if you are looking for an emergency dentist near you in Fort Myers. We are ready to help you at any time, whether during the day or night.