What is Emergency Dental Care? Tips To Prevent Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any dental issue that requires prompt treatment. Dental emergencies can occur at any time without any warning. It is important to be prepared for a dental emergency at all times. 

What Are Dental Emergencies?

A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate attention by a dentist, such as when a tooth is knocked out or when the jaw is fractured in an accident. Most patients will experience at least one dental emergency in their lifetime, and it is important that you know what to do if one happens to you. Here are some common dental emergencies and their emergency dental care treatments by the dentist 55118:

• Toothache – Toothaches can occur for a number of reasons, with the most common being tooth decay or a cavity. If you are experiencing tooth pain, see your Dentist in West St. Paul as soon as possible for treatment to prevent further damage.
• Knocked-Out Tooth – You can prevent an unavoidable knocked-out tooth by keeping your teeth strong and healthy through proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. If you do lose a tooth, though, you should attempt to place it back into its socket immediately to reimplant it. If that is not possible, place the tooth in a container of whole milk or water to keep it moist until you can see your dentist.
• Cracked/Broken Jaw– If your jawbone breaks or cracks in an accident, you should see your dentist right away. You should also apply ice and heat to your jaw to prevent swelling and see your dentist within 24 hours. Avoid moving the jaw too much until it has been treated.
• Displaced Teeth – When teeth become displaced from your mouth, you will need to see your dentist right away for proper treatment. If any of your teeth are chipped, use a cold compress to reduce any swelling and see your dentist immediately.

Preventing dental emergencies is essential in maintaining your dental health. If you grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard while you sleep to protect your smile. Also, be sure to brush and floss every day and visit your dentist for regular checkups so he or she can spot any potential problems early and prevent them before they happen.

How To Prevent Dental Emergencies

As per the Dentist in West St. Paul, the best ways to avoid dental emergencies are to practice good oral hygiene at home and to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and exams. Good at-home care includes brushing and flossing daily, as well as attending to issues like gum disease that can develop over time without regular dental care. By visiting your Dentist in West St. Paul every six months for checkups and cleanings, you can help prevent many oral health issues from developing in the first place.

Treatments For Dental Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency, we offer several emergency dentistry treatments like root canal treatments, fillings, oral surgery, tooth replacements, etc. We may also recommend cosmetic dentistry treatments if the aesthetics of your smile is also affected.

Broken tooth

A broken tooth can cause a lot of pain, and it’s important to see a dentist as soon as you can for fast treatment. If you’ve lost a tooth completely, then your dentist may recommend a dental implant or a bridge to fill the gap in your smile. If the break is relatively minor and you experience only slight discomfort, then a filling may be sufficient to treat the damaged area.

Knocked-out tooth

A knocked-out tooth should be considered a dental emergency, and you should see a dentist immediately. Carefully rinse off the knocked-out tooth with water if it is dirty, and rinse your mouth out well. Try to place the tooth back into its socket very carefully but avoid forcing it if it doesn’t go back into place easily. If you cannot place it in the socket, put your tooth in a small cup of milk and head to your local dentist or emergency room right away. Your tooth has a better chance of being saved if you act quickly.

Fractured jaw

If your jaw is fractured, you need to see a doctor right away. The doctor may be able to realign the jaw and manually close it using wires or rubber bands. If the bones are out of place, the doctor may use screws to reposition the bones into position before bandaging them up. This process often requires anesthesia or sedation for the patient to be comfortable while the treatment is being done.

Cracked tooth

A cracked or fractured tooth can be a painful experience and should be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage from bacteria in the mouth. Visiting your dentist for a consultation is the best way to determine if you have a broken tooth and what treatment option is best for you. If your tooth is chipped, you may still be able to see some of the white enamel on your tooth; however, if your fracture extends into the dentin (the layer below the enamel), the tooth may be dark brown or black. Dentin does not have a nerve supply, so the pain from a cracked tooth is not as severe as a toothache caused by decay. However, if the crack causes pain or sensitivity, you should always see a dentist.

In some cases, if a tooth is too damaged to repair with a filling or veneer, it might be necessary to perform a root canal to treat the decay and restore the tooth. Some teeth have very deep cracks that extend under the gums to the root surface. In these cases, it may not be possible to save the tooth, and an extraction may be necessary to prevent infection or further damage to the surrounding teeth.

To find out more about the dental services the Dentist  55118 offers at Elite Dental, West St. Paul, MN, call (952) 432-1716 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 7300 147th St., W., Suite 108, West St. Paul, MN.