Dental emergencies come in many shapes and sizes. The one good thing about virtually all of them is knowing when you're experiencing one. Unfortunately, that's because dental emergencies tend to be accompanied by severe discomfort. Knowing what to do in these anxious moments can make all the difference in successful treatment.
Today, we're looking at common dental emergencies and what to do when they strike to ensure minimal pain and recovery time.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
- A toothache
- Trauma or decay-related chipping or cracking of teeth
- Swelling and irritability of the gums or jawbone
- A loose tooth
- A broken dental crown
- Loss of a permanent tooth, whether due to decay or trauma
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Severe toothache. Emergency care is required.
- Cracking of teeth. Whether due to traumatic impact or untreated decay, most cracks must be dealt with immediately to restore the tooth's integrity and prevent bacteria from entering.
- Swelling of the gums or the jawbone. Swelling in the jawbone or gums is often a sign of infection that can cause tooth loss and spread to other parts of the body.
- Permanent tooth loss. Tooth loss in adults is always an emergency and should be dealt with immediately. Fortunately, there are steps you can promptly take in such an emergency to try to save the natural tooth:
- Without touching its root, recover the tooth.
- Rinse without scrubbing.
- If possible, replace it in the socket in the jawbone; otherwise, place it in a container of milk.
- Get to a dentist immediately!
Prompt, High-Quality Emergency Dental Care in Mesquite, TX
If you're looking for a dentist in Mesquite to provide you and your family with top-quality emergency care, rather than Googling "emergency dentist near me" and taking your chances, contact dentist Dr. RJ Loera and the team at Town East Dental Group, who are here to help you through your time of need!