Imagine this: you are running across the field, playing your heart out at your favourite sport, when all of a sudden, the ball smacks you in the jaw. Before you know it, your tooth is flying across the stadium. It is easy to panic in this situation, but you don’t need to. You should contact our dentist in Yaletown, Vancouver, and inform them of your injury. Some people don’t take dental emergencies seriously, and doing so can lead to irreparable damage. In this article, our team at Abba Dental breaks down some of the most common dental emergencies and what to do if they occur.
1. Traumatic Injury
People over the age of ten should no longer experience loose teeth. However, if a ball hits you in the mouth, or you fall and injure a tooth or your jaw, some of your teeth may become loose. In this case, get to our dental clinic that offers emergency dentistry near you as soon as possible. While you are on your way, call ahead and explain what has happened. Our dentist can examine you at the clinic and determine the best action.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth
This could also happen due to an injury from external forces. Call our dentist near you if your tooth gets knocked out, and tell them what happened. Next, try to find the missing tooth. Hold it by the crown only when you find it, careful not to touch the roots. If you can, place the tooth back in its socket. If you cannot do this, gently place it in a shallow milk container and take it to the dental office.
3. Sudden Toothache
A toothache can indicate many underlying dental conditions. If you suddenly experience a serious toothache, let our dentist know. As you prepare for your dental appointment, take a painkiller and rinse your mouth using warm saltwater. You can also hold a cold compress over the affected area to ease the pain.
4. Abscessed Gums
Even though an abscess on your gums is a serious issue, many individuals don’t believe this to be an emergency. An abscess looks like a pimple that will go away. This isn’t the problem, as abscessed gums could indicate a severe underlying infection. If untreated, this infection could spread to other body parts and cause serious damage. If you notice a pimple on your gums, immediately seek emergency dental treatment in downtown Vancouver.
5. Stuck Objects
This could be a wire, plastic, or popcorn lodged in your gums or between your teeth. An object stuck in your mouth can be irritating and painful, but if you cannot easily dislodge it, it is important not to force it out yourself because you could do more harm than good. Instead, contact our dentist and get them to remove it using professional tools and techniques.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
We never expect to face a dental emergency, so we tend to have little control over them. However, there are a couple of things you can do to reduce your chances of experiencing a dental emergency:
- Always wear a mouthguard when playing sports
- Avoid damaging foods such as stick toffees and popcorn
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day
- Visit our dentist for regular checkups and cleanings at least once every six months
When you prioritize oral health, you reduce your risk of developing severe dental problems.