Dental emergency
Visit the dentist or wait?
Tooth pain, discomfort, visible tooth decay, concern: we all need to see a dentist when such situations arise. In some cases, it is possible to wait until the next follow-up appointment while in other circumstances, an immediate consultation is necessary.
Broken tooth as a result of trauma
Whether you feel pain or not, a fracture should be assessed by a dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, the consultation takes place immediately after the accident. It is strongly recommended to bring the fragment of the broken tooth (if you find it) and keep it in your mouth, in milk or in plastic wrap (Saran Wrap) until the dentist arrives.
In addition to providing information on the cause of the incident and the condition of the tooth, the fragment could possibly allow the dentist to reconstruct the tooth by gluing it back together with adhesive and composite. If this is not possible, your dentist can use this as a guide to reconstruct the original shape of your tooth as closely as possible.
Avulsed tooth (completely out of its socket)
An avulsed tooth is a tooth that has completely emerged from its socket. It must be put back into its socket as soon as possible.. Since the tooth must be free of dirt, it must be rinsed (without rubbing the root) and skillfully reinserted.
Most often, people go to the dentist to have the tooth reinserted. In this case, the same recommendations prevail regarding the conditions of preservation of the tooth, but the chances of success decrease as the minutes pass following the avulsion of the tooth..
Swelling of the cheeks
Do not delay in seeing a dentist. Swelling is usually a symptom of infection and there is a real danger that it will get worse and spread. Apply a cold compress to your cheek and contact your dentist quickly.
Broken braces
Is a component of your orthodontic appliance or a retainer broken, broken or loose? To avoid discomfort, pain or unwanted tooth movement, contact your dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible to find out what to do. If this is not possible and there is a real emergency (severe pain or irritation), another dentist or orthodontist may be able to help you.
Pain that prevents you from sleeping
Do you experience widespread pain or twinges? This type of pain rarely goes away on its own. It usually indicates the presence of an abscess, inflammation or bacterial infection. The pulp of your tooth may be affected. After examination, your dentist will be able to relieve the pain and suggest appropriate treatments.
Attention
Some situations, without being urgent, require the advice of an oral health professional within a short time.
Following a dental trauma
Have you received a blow to the mouth or had a fall and felt an impact on your teeth? Even if no teeth seem to be broken and you do not feel any pain in the following days, it would be better to mention this at your next check-up so that your dentist can carry out a thorough examination of the area. Injuries may be present despite the absence of symptoms (e.g. fractured root or cracked tooth).
Mouth injury that does not heal
A mouth ulcer or an injured tongue is enough to make everyday life almost unbearable when the situation lasts for several days. Your pharmacist’s advice and recommendations can help, but if it persists, make an appointment with a dentist to make sure that these symptoms are not hiding something more serious.
How can we identify the really urgent cases?
Treatment options may be limited if there is too long a delay between the incident or the onset of symptoms and the visit to the dentist.
The following are situations that require immediate attention: