There is nothing quite like the pain of a toothache. It hurts, it throbs, and no matter how much ibuprofen or cool compresses you put on it, the ache is still there. Most dentists have an emergency dental schedule or some even have a completely different phone number you can call to make sure you are seen as soon as possible. But what is emergency dental care? And, do you really fall into that category?
Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong, and you should never ignore it. So if you have a toothache that has not gone away after brushing and flossing your teeth, it is most likely a deep cavity or an infection in the pulp or root. Most likely the tooth is already infected and inflamed, which is what is causing the pain, and you’ll require the tooth to either be pulled or get a root canal to save what a dentist can.
Cracked or broken teeth need fixed before they become infected or irritate the pulp by moving around too much.
If you lost a tooth that was rotting away a part of your nerve could be exposed, and leaving the rest of the tooth could cause further damage to the inside of your mouth and gums.
If your tooth has been knocked out, it’s a possibility that the tooth can be put back. The roots should be present and undamaged, so while handling it, handle with care. You can try putting it back in its socket, but if you’re unable to, call your dentist immediately. Wrap your tooth in a clean fabric, such as gauze, and submerge the tooth in milk to keep it moist and alive. You have roughly thirty minutes to get it put back in the socket. If part of your tooth has just chipped off due to a blow to the face, this will not be able to be put back, this is just a chipped tooth that will have to be fixed.
In other places of the body, it’s not uncommon got have a small cut or a hangnail get infected. When it does, we normal drain the pus out, cover it with antibiotic ointment, and put a band aid on. For teeth, it isn’t so easy. An abscess is when there is a buildup of pus from an infected tooth in the tooth or the gum area around it. This can be caused by an untreated cavity, injury, or dental work. Pain, swelling, fever, and bad breath are all symptoms, so don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you have one or more. A root canal and antibiotics may be necessary to treat it, but if the infection is too bad, the tooth may have to be pulled.
If there is a gum abscess do not pop it on your own. This draining will not help it, and will only open the area up for more bacteria to come in. Leave it alone and schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can safely drain it. Also, the abscess will have to be drained, it is not something that will go away on its own.
If you have anything on this list, it’s considered an emergency, and you should reach out to dentist for an emergency visit. If your personal dentist can not perform the emergency care, ask the office for a recommendation, or seek other offices that take your insurance for an opening.
