Have you ever experienced a dental emergency? Suddenly damaging a tooth, experiencing severe dental pain, or other oral health issues can be worrisome and warrant the need for prompt treatment. If you don’t already have an emergency dentist, it’s important to find one as soon as possible so they can repair your smile and keep further issues from developing. Read on to learn more about what situations require urgent care and how to quickly find an emergency dentist.
What’s Considered a Dental Emergency?
Generally speaking, a dental emergency is considered to be a sudden, traumatic, or painful oral health-related incident that requires urgent care. If the injury has led to uncontrollable bleeding, trouble breathing, or any other potentially life-threatening complications, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room. In cases where your teeth, gums, or other parts of your mouth have been damaged but your life isn’t in danger, seek help from an emergency dentist right away. A few common dental emergencies include:
- Chipped, broken, or fractured teeth
- Lost dental crowns or filling
- Knocked-out teeth
- Toothaches
How to Find an Emergency Dentist ASAP
As soon as a dental emergency arises, reach out to your dentist. Since they already know about your dental history and have information about your insurance provider and the medications you’re allergic to on file, they’re usually the best option. If the accident occurs outside of their office hours, listen to their voicemail. It should provide you with instructions on what to do next. If their voicemail doesn’t provide this information, you’re not close to their office, or you require prompt treatment, search the words “emergency dentist near me” online. Begin reaching out to practices until you’re able to find one that can fit you in for a same-day appointment.
3 At-Home Remedies That Can Help
Though prompt treatment is key to protecting your oral health from further harm, common side effects like swelling, discomfort, and pain can be lessened with home remedies. Ways to make yourself more comfortable while you wait until your dentist can see you include:
- Rinse – Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Gently rinse with this mixture to relieve pain and prevent infection by clearing harmful oral bacteria away from the damaged area.
- Ice it – Use a cold compress or an ice pack to numb the area and lessen inflammation.
- Take pain medicine – Over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin can help alleviate discomfort.
Though sustaining an injury to the mouth may cause you to worry, you can lessen your chances of encountering this issue by taking good care of your smile and making biannual visits to your dentist. In the event of a dental emergency, they will be able to get things under control and get your smile back on track!
About the Author
If you ever encounter a dental emergency and need prompt treatment, Dr. Lance Timmerman can help. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry as well as the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and takes pride in helping patients take good care of their smiles. Do you want to make an appointment with Dr. Lance Timmerman and his talented Tukwila team or are you interested in learning more about their services? If so, call their office at (206) 350-6199 or visit their website today.
