Dental injuries are more common than you think. Sports injuries, falls while children play, accidental direct hits to the teeth... all of this can be a dental emergency. However, you may be far away from a first dental clinic. Let us find out what is necessary to do in those situations!
Broken tooth
A broken tooth is the most common dental emergency. For patients, it is also one of the most severe forms of tooth trauma, followed by an equally hard psychological and stressful situation. In case when you have an injury, the most important thing is to get to the dentist near you as soon as possible. In Westside Family Dental, a dental clinic in Edmonton, an examination and X-ray would be done immediately upon your arrival to the dental office in Edmonton near you. After that, the tooth can be put back in its place. It is crucial to understand the time between the injury and reimplantation of a broken tooth. Various stomatologist studies have shown that it is best to reimplant the tooth in less than 20 minutes if one wants to have a 90 percent chance of recovering. This, of course, may not be so easily possible. Instead, emergency dental care can be given up to two hours after an accident.
However, many people bring the tooth in a handkerchief or hand. This is understandable, as in such a situation it is hard to be prepared for an emergency. It is very harmful to do this, especially if the tooth falls on the dirty ground. The experts suggest putting the broken tooth in a glass of milk or plain water. If this is not possible, the best alternative is to keep it under your tongue or in your mouth – of course, without swallowing it!
Broken jaw
A direct hit to the head may leave you with a broken jaw. Most of them are fractures of the lower jaw (also called mandible), white fractures of the upper jaw are seldom and with a lot more serious consequences. This will call for a quick visit to the ER, followed by an appointment at the emergency dentist near you. If this happens, hold the jaw in place with a bandage wrapped over the top of the head and seek medical help as soon as possible.
Broken braces
Fixed braces for teeth alignment use wires to connect the teeth. Sometimes they break or they get stuck in gums, tongues or cheeks. Do not touch them, as this situation should be solved in the dental clinic near you. Instead, use wax and gauze to cover the braces and quickly visit the emergency dentist near you.
Toothache
When toothaches, it can be unbearable! It is a very common pain, especially in people with poor oral hygiene. The pain may be permanent and/or caused by hot and cold food, sugary drinks, chewing or brushing teeth. Flossing the tooth and rinsing it with warm salt water is an efficient way to mild the pain, followed by an ice compress. Some traditional help can also be beneficial. Clove oil and ginger can be used as an anesthetic and can calm the nerves. Warm mint, chamomile, or sage teas are also helpful, as well as cinnamon and honey mix. If pain persists, visit the dentist near you! There are many reasons why a tooth can ache.
Be it a real emergency or a durable toothache, emergency dental in West Edmonton, Westside Family Dental, offers professional and immediate help. Don’t be shy or embarrassed to look for such help. Accidents happen and it is better to rush to an emergency dentist near you than to use inappropriate measures that may do more harm than good!