Finding an Emergency Dentist for Your Family

Dental emergencies need to be treated immediately to relieve pain, reduce infection risk, or save your natural tooth. You can prevent some dental emergencies by regularly visiting your dentist for dental check-ups and cleanings. Read on to learn more about what dental emergencies are.

Finding an Emergency Dentist

When looking for a family dentist near you, it’s essential to consider if the dentistry offers dental emergency services. Emergencies can also be costly, so it’s advisable to check on with your dental insurance cover company so that they can give you a list of dental offices they are in partnership with. Coming up with a payment plan for any future dental emergencies with your dentist could reduce the hassle of coming up with funds to finance the service. You can also look for a dental emergency clinic near you online.

Types of Dental Emergencies

At times it might be challenging to know if you have a dental emergency or not. The following are common dental emergencies that need an immediate medical response.

Broken, Cracked, or Knocked Out Tooth

Minor chips and cracks don’t need immediate treatment. You can always wait for a few hours if it occurred at night. If you suffer significant damages, chips, or your tooth is knocked out, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist.

First-aid tips you can perform on yourself before seeing the dentist include:

Rinsing your mouth with warm, clean water and then pressing an ice pack on the affected side’s cheek to prevent swelling.

Take the knocked-out tooth by its crown and rinse it without scrubbing and try placing it back in its socket gently. If it proves to be difficult, spit some saliva in a container and place the tooth inside. Milk is also recommended as an alternative to saliva.

Carry the tooth to the dentist with you within an hour to increase the chances of saving your natural tooth.

For a broken crown, rinse it and apply some clove oil using a soft cloth to the affected tooth to relieve pain. Using a toothpaste, coat the insides of the tooth and try to re-attach the broken crown. If it can’t hold, don’t force it; instead, preserve it and carry it to the dentist.

Abscess

A pimple might appear on your gums or in between your teeth. The pain is mild, but with time it escalates to severe pain. Its symptoms include sensitivity to hot and cold drinks and foodstuffs, redness, pain, pus, or teeth loss.

An abscess could be life-threatening if the dentist is not contacted early enough. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to wash out the infection and relieve pain before going for the appointment.

Toothaches

Toothaches can cause sleepless nights. If it persists for more than two days, have red gums, your gums, and cheeks start swelling or pain while biting even after dislodging any food particles between your teeth, you should seek an immediate medical response.

For first aid, rinse your mouth a couple of times using warm salty water. Take painkillers and do not at any time place it directly on the aching tooth.

Swollen Jaw or Mouth

A swollen jaw could be caused by an infection, gum disease, swollen lymph nodes, or cancer. An injury can also lead to your jaw swelling or breaking, making it difficult for you to move your jaw. If this happens, immediate dental care near you is required to avoid further complications.

Why an Emergency Dentist

Quick treatment

Traumas such as broken jaws, knocked out teeth, or injured gums require immediate treatment. How fast you get the treatment will determine if it will be possible to save your natural tooth. Always have your emergency dentist contact on speed dial for easier access. You can also write it down on a piece of paper and then stick it up on your fridge or washroom counters.

Reduced Risk of Infection

If you have a broken tooth, there is a high risk of getting an infection that could travel to your neck, jaw, and even brain, causing serious health complications such as heart disease or hepatitis. An emergency dental clinic near NE, Calgary, will administer antibiotics to you, reducing the chances of getting an infection.

Contact our Zen Dental offices for more information about emergency dentists.