Any dental emergency can be a panic and stress filled experience. Therefore, by understanding what should be done during certain accidents in order to minimise risk of further damage or loss, is beneficial, having some knowledge about the appropriate course of action to take can make all the difference.
Depending on the incident, annual or biannual visits to a dental clinic in W1 will generally reduce the risk of some kinds of emergencies from happening, but sporting or other everyday injuries are sometimes simply unavoidable.
Some avoidable emergencies include pain that comes from abscesses or infections, unnatural swelling or redness due to dental or gum disease, painful cavities that have been overlooked and the breaking or wearing down of previous restorative dental treatments. These common dental emergencies force a patient into the practice, because they can be painful and need to be dealt with immediately.
Any dentist will seek to ensure that their patient is seen to as swiftly as possible and that pain relief, if needed, is administered before a check-up allows them to understand the seriousness of the emergency. Having an appointment on the same day is important for such patients who need immediate care and a practice needs to ensure these are available.
By choosing a dental practice that offers a same day service, patients can feel reassured knowing that when they are in the midst of a dental emergency, there is a high chance that a professional will be available to help them. This is particularly important for time sensitive issues such as when a person has knocked out one or more of their teeth.
What do you do when a person has knocked out a tooth?
Within the hour, the ability to replace a knocked out tooth is greatly reduced, so it is essential that emergency dental care is sought out as soon as possible. There are other actions that can be taken to ensure the greatest likelihood of a successful replantation.
Is there anything to be aware of during those immediate moments after a tooth is knocked out?
If the tooth can be found, a patient should not attempt to touch the delicate roots of the tooth, but rather simply handle the crown, or the part of the tooth that is usually seen.
If they are able to avoid vigorously rubbing or cleaning the tooth, but lightly wash it in a milky or saline solution before placing the tooth back into the empty socket, then this will ensure the greatest chance of success.
Water should not be used as this can cause the cells of the tooth to expand and break. A patient should be careful not to swallow the tooth if it remains in their mouth. Leaving the tooth in milk or saline solution may be better to keep it moist, if they are concerned that they may swallow their tooth.
What other dental emergencies are there?
Persistent toothaches will not go away on their own, so a patient will need to look at getting the issue dealt with as quickly as possible.
It is not in the nature of a dentist to judge their patients’ actions, however, know that good oral hygiene and frequent visits to the dentist can go a long way in preventing painful issues with teeth and can make all the difference between a healthy smile and an unhealthy one.
