A dental emergency can happen at any time, particularly to the soft tissue in your mouth. This guide will go over what kinds of emergencies can occur and what steps you should take afterward. This will help you to take care of yourself, whether you are currently experiencing an injury in your mouth or you’re just looking for future reference.
Soft tissue injuries can happen for a variety of reasons. The cause might be as simple as accidentally biting your cheek, but high-impact activities like car accidents and contact sports can also cause acute damage. These can result in puncture wounds or lacerations and swelling and bruising. Consuming overly hot liquids can also burn your mouth.
More simple injuries such as small bites may not bleed and will likely even heal on their own over time. Bleeding may also stop after a few minutes. However, if you continue to bleed excessively, this may constitute a dental emergency.
It is important to stay calm and not panic. The soft tissues in your mouth are highly susceptible to damage, and you may be in a lot of pain. Try to seek help from others around you, if possible.
First, you should swish salt water or mouthwash in your mouth to kill bacteria and prevent infection. You should then apply pressure to the area with gauze or a towel to stop the bleeding. Ice can also help to alleviate pain and swelling.
To get treatment for your dental emergency, you should immediately make an appointment with your dentist and try to be seen as soon as possible. It is common for dentists to make same-day appointments for emergencies. You should ideally get someone else to drive you so that you can focus on continuing to apply pressure to the wound. The office may also give you specific instructions over the phone.
Depending upon the severity of the injury, treatment options will differ. Your dentist may have to clean the wound and stitch it up, or they may need to consider more serious options that include sedation.
One potential concern is if any of your teeth have also been damaged by the injury. This could require extraction or a procedure such as dental bonding or veneers. Make sure to talk over all options with your dentist.
Your dentist may prescribe you painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications. You may still experience some pain and tenderness after your visit. Your dentist will give you specific instructions, but it is advisable to be gentle with your mouth. This includes eating soft foods, such as applesauce and yogurt and gently using antiseptic rinses. Some foods, such as acidic and spicy foods, can irritate your mouth and should be avoided.
If you reinjure your mouth and restart the bleeding or other complications occur, make sure to contact your dentist as soon as possible so that they can fix the problem. Dental emergencies come in all forms, so if you feel like something is wrong then don't hesitate to reach out for help. Your oral health depends on it!
Request an appointment here: https://sonoma.saidental.net or call Sai Dental Care at (707) 509-1147 for an appointment in our Sonoma office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Sonoma, CA.
An emergency dentist can treat toothaches in a variety of ways if the pain becomes intolerable or the symptoms present a risk of worsening and causing other oral health issues if not treated promptly. However, for minor toothaches that can wait until a more convenient time to be scheduled, emergency dentists may provide useful tips…
In general dentistry, dental fillings are one of the most common restorative procedures performed. They are used to address the damage done to teeth, most often as a result of cavities. Continue reading to find out more!Below is a quick overview of dental fillings in general dentistry, including how they are placed and when they…
It is not just inconvenient and humiliating to have loose dentures. They may even end up posing a risk to your dental health over time. Unfortunately for denture users, looseness is a common long-term side effect of this sort of dental care. There are several solutions available when it comes to repairing a loose denture,…
It is easy to assume all gum disease is the result of poor oral hygiene. In many cases, it is. However, red or swollen gums can also be an indication of other health concerns completely unrelated to oral care. Because these conditions can be serious, it is important to pay attention to any changes or…
There are several solutions available when it comes to repairing a loose denture, which range…
It is easy to assume all gum disease is the result of poor oral hygiene.…
A tooth replacement procedure is necessary when someone has lost their natural teeth.
Having a full mouth reconstruction is an important procedure to renew your smile and get…
Patients will have a better knowledge of their dental restoration by learning about these two…
The option of having a full set of dentures is what comes to mind when…
