5 Situations That Needs Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental care visits pick up every December, and this year is even worse with the impact of COVID-19 on dentistry in Australia. It is essential for dental health preservation that you don’t ignore issues that may arise. This is especially true during the Christmas holidays, where tooth decay and damage are prominent.
Take the preventative measures necessary now. Learn how to react and where to go for emergency dental care. This list covers five common oral health issues and what you should know if any happen to you.
If your dental upkeep is lacking this year, make it a priority to book in a check up ASAP. It may save you from needing an emergency dental visit during the holiday period.
What is emergency dental care necessary for the most? The five problems found below will give you an idea.
1. You’ve fractured a tooth
A tooth fracture requires immediate medical attention. Teeth can not self heal. A piece that has broken off is not able to grow back by itself.
A dentist will repair the broken tooth to prevent infection and further damage. An untreated fracture can lead to an abscess and cause nerve damage.
The mandibular molars are most susceptible to cracks and fractures. They are under the most force during chewing and teeth grinding. The damage might occur from an accidental injury or when eating a hard food item. If your teeth are weak, avoid any hard candy. At the very least, avoid chewing on the candy, like many do, after sucking for a while.
Warning: A pinkish tone suggests an exposed nerve. Hurry before the tooth dies!
Also, try to figure out the reason for the damage. Bruxism and teeth grinding issues are common causes of tooth fractures. The grinding increases when stress is high.
The difficulties and frustration during the XMAS season can aggravate your nerves, making teeth grinding worse. If this is the case, preventative measures like a dental guard will help you get through the holidays unscathed.
2. Your gums are bleeding
Bleeding gums are never normal. If you notice the gums starting to bleed, it’s important to investigate the cause. Some of the main reasons for bleeding gums include:
- A symptom of pregnancy
- Brushing too hard
- Dentures not correctly in place
- Flossing the wrong way
- Infection of the tooth or gums
- Vitamin C deficiency
Other more serious medical issues can also be to blame. Chronic bleeding gums may also be an early sign of bleeding disorders and leukemia (blood cancer). Your dentist will refer you to the appropriate medical professional if they have any suspicions of these sort of medical issues.
3. You have a persistent toothache
A nagging toothache usually requires a professional inspection.. Sometimes the cause is due to a bad tooth which will need to be fixed. Otherwise the pain will only become more and more severe. Other times the pain is not caused by a tooth related issue and may not require any dental treatment. Whatever the case, a prompt assessment is required to determine the best course of action.
.Related: Severe Toothache – Is It A Dental Emergency?
4. A filling or crown falls out
Fillings are sealed to the tooth enamel using a special glue. After years of use, wear and tear, the glue which seals the filling to the tooth may dissolve away. This causes the filling to fall out resulting in a tooth cavity that is unprotected and prone to getting more decay. If a filling falls out, the best thing to do is to make an emergency dental visit. The tooth needs to be resealed ASAP. Leaving it as a hole can result in pain, infection, or the tooth rotting away further. All of these consequences if left for long enough can lead to the tooth being so far damaged that it needs to be removed. .
What if a crown falls out?
A crown is like a custom made helmet which fit’s over the tooth to protect it. It is sealed and held on by a very strong glue. Sometimes after years of use, the glue may dissolve resulting in the crown falling off. If this happens, it’s important to seek an emergency dental visit ASAP. Once again, leaving the tooth unprotected can result in further decay, infection and damage to the underlying tooth. Sticking it back on with store bought cement or chewing gum is not a good idea. Doing so may hold the crown in place but it would not seal the tooth against bacteria. A crown that’s wedged in with store purchased cement is even more prone to getting tooth decay as the bacteria will continue to leak inside the tooth.
A dentist will be able to inspect the crown and the tooth to determine if it can simiply be resealed back on. If this is possible, the procedure should be straight forward and you may be able to avoid having a new crown made.
5. Sports Injuries
A fast response is necessary to prevent serious problems. Follow these steps:
- Only hold the tooth by its crown
- Rinse it quickly with water or milk
- Leave the tissue the way it is
- Put the tooth back in its socket
Learn more: What to Do When You Have a Tooth Knocked Out
Do not reinsert a baby tooth as it can affect the adult teeth. Seek immediate dental care to prevent infection and nerve damage.
Dental trauma is one of the most urgent types of dental emergencies. Ideally you should try and see a dentist within 24 hours of the accident. Otherwise the rate of complications increases significantly if things are left unattended.
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Christmas
It is time to take preventative care measures to prepare your teeth for the Christmas holidays. Get a checkup done if it’s been a while. Stay clear from hard to eat foods and limit your intake of sweets. Moderation is key.
Abstain from sugary and chewy foods if your teeth are weak.
The XMAS holidays are the worst time of year for dental health. Now is the time to seek emergency dental care if you are coping with severe decay. Addressing your problems now will ensure your teeth are healthy going into next year.
Get in for an appointment. Book at Whitehorse Dental today!
