A dental emergency means that the patient is suffering from a dental problem that needs to be addressed right away. There are certain times when one can wait to go to the dentist, and then there are cases of emergency. Whenever faced with such an emergency, your emergency dental care Burlingame should be the first to contact.
If you encounter a dental emergency in the middle of the night, during a holiday, or over the weekend, you will likely need an emergency dentist. Usually, regular problems can wait until the morning, while emergencies run the risk of losing the entire tooth or threatening your health. This article outlines some of the most common dental emergencies in Burlingame.
What is considered a dental emergency in Burlingame?
- Knocked out tooth
A knocked-out tooth occurs when your tooth comes out of its place and falls out of your mouth in an accident. It can cause severe amounts of pain and bleeding. In most cases, you would have to immediately visit a dentist to normally start eating again.
If your tooth gets knocked out, try putting it back into the socket from which it fell. If that is not possible, keep it between your gums and cheek or submerged in milk until you can visit your dentist.
- Abrupt toothache without explanation
Toothaches do not come without a reason. If your tooth starts aching all of a sudden, there is something wrong with it or your gums. If something like this happens to you, it is best to see a dentist immediately.
However, if you cannot access a dentist right away, do these things to control the pain:
- Use over-the-counter painkillers.
- Garle with salt water.
- Use a cold compress.
- Chipped or cracked tooth
When thinking about a dental emergency, people usually do not think about a chipped or cracked tooth. This is because a chipped tooth does not always hurt that much to be considered an emergency. However, if you keep chewing your food with a chipped tooth, it runs the risk of chipping even more.
Sometimes, the fracture is so severe that the tooth cannot be saved anymore. While you wait for your dentist’s appointment, follow these steps:
- Rinse with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress.
- Avoid using numbing gel or painkillers.
- Cavity and pulpitis
A cavity occurs when the enamel of a tooth has worn out due to severe decay. A cavity causes severe pain while chewing or drinking liquids. While it is not exactly an emergency, it is good to book a dental appointment as soon as possible.
Pulpitis is referred to as a condition where a cavity is left untreated for too long, and the bacteria spreads to the tooth’s pulp, infecting the area. A dentist might be able to remove the infectious debris by scraping in certain situations. In severe cases, however, a root canal is typically required.
- Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a dangerous condition where a pocket of pus is formed inside the tooth. If not treated immediately, the infection could spread from the tooth to the jaw and the surrounding tissues. A dental abscess can cause high fever and a consistent toothache and make your face swell. To relieve the pain temporarily, you can use a saltwater rinse. But you will need to see a dentist immediately.
- Bleeding or swelling of the gums.
Bleeding gums are normal if you are not a flosser and start doing it all of a sudden. However, if they are bleeding for no reason, this is not normal. You should get dental care immediately, especially if the bleeding is accompanied by swelling and pain.
Visit your nearest dentist today!
Even though a good dental hygiene routine is said to keep dental problems at bay, dental emergencies can still happen. Visit your nearest dentist today and get checked.
