Six Common Dental Emergencies in Green Bay, WI: Importance of Immediate Response and Professional Intervention 

A chipped or broken tooth, tooth decay, and gum disease are common dental emergencies. Although prevention preserves your oral health, understanding the steps to take when a dental emergency arises can help prevent long-term damage. You must know when to visit an emergency dentist in Green Bay, WI, and get the right treatment. Below are the common dental emergencies you should immediately respond to:

Toothache

Dental pain can be due to tooth decay. Although you can handle some toothaches without emergency treatment, some signs, such as swelling require immediate attention. Turning to pain relievers is not usually recommended as this can result in tissue burns after contact with the impacted gums. Rather, a cold compress can be applied to the outside of your cheek. Then, contact a dentist for emergency dental care. After you get treatment, your dentist will remind you to practice good oral hygiene to prevent dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay. Treatment for tooth decay depends on the severity. To reverse early decay, the dentist can prescribe varnish or mouthwash. If you have a cavity, you may need a dental filling. If the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary.

A Broken or Chipped Tooth

You could break or chip your tooth unexpectedly when you bite down on a hard object. Sadly, a cracked or broken tooth can hurt. When this happens, use warm water to rinse your mouth and apply gauze to the bleeding site.  A cold compress can relieve pain and swelling on the face near the affected tooth. Treatment options for a cracked or broken tooth include dental bonding, veneers, crowns, or root canal therapy. 

Knocked-out Tooth

This emergency necessitates a prompt response for re-implantation success. Immediate response includes picking your tooth by the crown and not contact with the roots. If the tooth is soiled, rinse it with water. If you cannot reinsert the tooth into the socket, soak it in saliva or milk to preserve its viability. Immediate professional intervention is important to ensure the tooth can be re-implanted successfully. 

Lost Dental Filling or Crown

Usually, a lost filling or crown can expose your dental pulp and nerves, causing radiating pain and resulting in an infection. Visit a dentist immediately to replace the lost filling or crown and protect your tooth. Before you arrive at the dental clinic, clean the affected area and do not chew on its side. 

Abscessed Tooth

This severe infection can result in serious pain, fever, and swelling. Typically, it happens because of untreated cavities, tooth trauma, or gum disease. Identifying early signs of an abscessed tooth and seeking urgent dental care is essential to ensure the infection does not spread. Signs of dental abscess include throbbing toothaches, swollen gums, sensitivity to temperatures, and a bad taste. Your dentist may drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes, they may recommend a root canal treatment or tooth extraction if needed. 

Broken Orthodontics

When your orthodontic devices break, complications and discomfort can ensue. When not treated urgently, broken appliances can lead to soft tissue cuts, tooth damage, and irritation. Also, painful ulcers may develop around the exposed metal attachments, particularly brackets. Likewise, loose implants can result in infections, as well as bone and tissue damage. 

In addition, an appliance that is not properly adjusted can impede your mouth’s normal functioning such as eating and speaking. Often, treatment involves removing or modifying the appliance to replace or reposition misplaced parts. Sometimes, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics if the broken orthodontic emergency results in an infection. 

Dental emergencies can arise unexpectedly. That is why you should be prepared if this occurs to you. Whenever you have a dental emergency, see a dentist as soon as possible to get the relief you need.