Dental Emergencies in Elkin, NC
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When you find yourself in the midst of a dental emergency, whether it occurs after an accident or a chronic disease, you need proper emergency care as soon as possible. As is the case with any type of emergency, it is vital that you are aware of what you can do to ensure the best possible outcome, before you actually find yourself in an emergency situation.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
Knocked-out permanent teeth necessitate quick thinking and immediate action. Pick up the tooth without touching the root, clean it with water, and put it back in its socket, facing the correct way, to improve the chances of saving the tooth.
Hold the tooth in place using gentle pressure and immediately go to the dental office or emergency room. If the tooth cannot be replanted immediately, tuck it between your cheek and gum or transport it to your appointment in a container of cold milk.
More traumatic injuries, including moved or loosened teeth, require treatment within 6 hours. Should uncontrollable bleeding occur, leave immediately for the nearest emergency room. Emergency oral surgery may be necessary in some cases.
Fortunately, common dental injuries are also usually less severe. Chipped teeth are extremely common. If a tooth is chipped, locate any missing pieces and transport them to your dentist, as it may be possible to repair the tooth.
Tooth Pain
Acute or persistent tooth pain is always a cause for an urgent dental office visit. Tooth decay is usually at the root of tooth pain, and this bacterial infection can spread to other parts of the tooth and gum tissue. Tooth pain may even reveal the need for root canal treatment, a procedure that relieves the pain of infection and saves the tooth from untimely extraction.
At other times, tooth pain may signal a loose filling or sensitive tooth. Tooth pain can only be diagnosed by your dental team, so a visit to the dental office is essential.
Gum Emergencies
Although tooth emergencies are important, injuries and infections involving the mouth’s soft tissues may also necessitate emergency treatment. The tissues found on the gums, tongue, and cheek lining can be damaged by inadvertent bites, sports injuries, falls, and even scalding hot liquids. Soft tissues can also be damaged by foreign objects being lodged below the gum line.
Soft tissue damage can lead to painful and potentially dangerous abscesses. A periodontal abscess is a sac filled with pus. It is typically the result of an infection and is often extremely painful. Abscesses should be evaluated and treated immediately at your dental office.
When you experience an injury to the soft tissues, rinse with diluted salt water. Visible debris should be cleared away, while bleeding can usually be mitigated by pressing a clean, damp material to the area for 10-15 minutes. Should bleeding persist, immediately set out for your nearest emergency room.
Foreign bodies lodged below the gum line may be worked out with a toothpick or dental floss. If it cannot be removed gently or easily, contact your dentist before the damage is exacerbated. Gum emergencies can be quite dangerous, and should never be ignored.
Orthodontic Emergencies
Orthodontic treatment is often associated with discomfort, but there are only a few true orthodontic emergencies. These include trauma or injury to the face, teeth, or mouth as a result of orthodontic intervention. Orthodontic emergencies might be characterized by infection or swelling of the gums and unmanageable discomfort or pain.
If any of these symptoms arise, seek immediate care from your dental practice or emergency room. If you have loose, broken, or irritating snippets of orthodontic hardware in your mouth, contact your dental office for further steps and advice.
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Dental emergencies can be difficult to handle but having a trustworthy dental team helps. Our staff offers services for dental emergencies in Elkin, NC, in order to accommodate dental trauma and damage and improve the chances of saving harmed teeth.
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