Dental emergencies happen without warning, and they may require quick action to limit damage, ease pain or save a tooth. If you are dealing with a dental emergency, the first step is to contact your dentist or local dental clinic. Then you should follow any instructions they provide for managing the situation. In general, any issue that needs immediate attention to control bleeding, alleviate severe pain or save a tooth qualifies as a dental emergency. Common examples include a broken or cracked tooth, an oral injury that causes severe bleeding or a knocked-out tooth.
If you are dealing with a dental emergency, it is important to stay calm and assess the situation. For example, if a tooth is knocked out, you should try to reinsert it into its socket and rinse the area to clean off any foreign materials. Rinsing the socket with water can also reduce swelling. For mild to moderate pain, you can take over-the-counter medications as directed by your dentist or medical professional.
You can also rinse your mouth with warm water or apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort. However, you should not put pressure on a dislodged or fractured tooth, as this can further aggravate the injury and increase your chances of further complications.
Getting immediate dental treatment is critical to your oral health and can help minimize long-term costs. For example, an untreated dental infection or abscess can spread to the surrounding tissues and potentially into your bloodstream. In addition, the longer you wait to visit a Torrance emergency dentist for a lost or displaced tooth, the lower the chance of successfully re-inserting it into its socket.
In addition to providing pain relief, emergency dentistry can address underlying issues that might require more extensive and expensive procedures in the future. For instance, an untreated cavity that deteriorates to the pulp can result in a root canal or crown procedure. In the event that a tooth is chipped or broken, an emergency dentist can restore it with a filling or cap and avoid further damage.
Many of these procedures can be costly and can add up quickly, so it is essential to make preventative visits for teeth cleaning and checkups. Regular visits will help detect issues and minimize the risk of costly dental emergencies.
Lastly, many dentists offer alternative financing options to help patients afford their treatments. Whether through dental insurance or medical credit cards, these alternatives can improve access to care and help reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
While no one can avoid dental emergencies, implementing preventative measures like routine teeth cleanings and regular checkups can significantly decrease the likelihood of dental crisis. You should always keep your family’s dental and medical records in a safe place, and you should know what to do if you experience a dental emergency. This way, you will be better prepared to respond swiftly to dental crises and protect your oral and overall well-being. Having an emergency dental plan in place will also give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on addressing the crisis at hand. If you need an emergency dental service in Torrance visit https://www.thetorrancedentist.net/.