There are many occasions when you or family members develop a bad toothache or some other dental issue. At such times we are not sure whether this is an emergency or a normal routine dental problem. While you are under treatment of any one of the dental issues, like restoration of an abscessed tooth, or getting veneers, or dental implantation, the best course of action would be to call our dentist, because he knows about your current treatment and can advise you accordingly.

But when any dental issue arises out of the blue, like you may get injury on your face, or your tooth suddenly develops unbearable pain, it is time to call your emergency dentist, who will ask for more information and then may ask you to come to the office for preliminary assistance.

What are some of the routine emergency procedures performed in dental emergency clinics, or the dental department of general hospital.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is a situation where the life of the individual is at stake, and which requires immediate attention to stop the tissues from bleeding, or to alleviate unbearable pain, or treat an in infection right away so that it may not lead to further damage to the individual. When the persons airway is threated by the infection or trauma to facial bones occurs, it is considered dental emergency.

How is an emergency dentist different from normal dentist?

An emergency dentist is equipped for, and is trained for the treatment of dental and oral health emergencies, that many people find themselves in. Emergency dentists are allowed to keep the office open at all hours of day and night and admit people as they walk in, as, there is no need for an appointment, so that care and treatment can be given promptly. They have trained staff to quicky schedule an appointment also if the patient can wait till then.

A normal dentist usually has a tight schedule and can see patients only as per schedule, unlike emergency dentist.

The dentists in emergency clinics and dental emergency department of general hospitals are trained to quicky diagnose to determine the line of treatment needed by the patients. Normal dentist may not be able to accommodate patients who require immediate care, because they work on the basis of making arrangements for procedures beforehand. In all emergency situations, prompt and immediate care is important which is part of the training for dentist working in emergency clinics and wards.

Emergency services

Suffering from an injury in and around mouth due to panic created by unexpectedness of the event is scary. The emergency dentists are able to provide treatments for a wide range of dental and oral problems, arising out of unforeseen circumstances. Any issue concerning the mouth and the teeth can be dealt with by the emergency dentist efficiently and quickly.

Generally speaking, everything to do with oral care issues and problems arising out of oral health are the areas of interest for the emergency dentists. Although they treat all dental emergency, the most common ones that they treat in emergency clinic are; Cracked and chipped teeth, Dental abscess, Lost crowns and fallen down fillings.

One of the reasons of getting inflamed gums or abscess in the tooth are injury to the tooth where a crack as developed and the bacteria has entered the roots whereby making it infected and causing pain.

Knocked out or injured teeth:

When you come across an injury to your face, and if you feel pain in your teeth, it is advisable to go to nearest emergency dental clinic or get into ER in any nearby hospital, so that you can get immediate first-aid treatment for the injury to your tooth and it can be saved from further damage.

People who are in vigorous sports, may find themselves in situations, where a tooth has been knocked out or a part of the tooth has broken down and got lost. Sometimes the injury is suffered by the gums making the teeth pain. In all such cases, the individual may get panicked and afraid about what can happen next. He/she should contact the emergency dentist immediately where they can receive preliminary treatment as soon as possible, and then the further treatment can be provided by normal dentist.

Dental abscess causing severe pain:

Oral infections due to various reasons, may get worse suddenly and lead to unbearable pain, because the bacteria has caused a pocket of pus in the tooth that makes the surrounding area red and inflamed. Such an abscess can cause pain which may radiate in area between the ear and the gums. In such a case immediate attention is very important. Here, the best option is to visit the dental emergency clinic where the dentist will check the condition and give preliminary treatment including pain killers.

Lost crowns and dental fillings:

Dental crowns and dental fillings are made to last for a long time, but sometimes, due to whatever reasons, you may find that your crown on a restoration has been lost. Dental fillings also can fall off sometimes. In such a case, your roots are exposed, and may cause pain which requires immediate treatment. The best thing in these cases is to visit your nearby emergency dentist’s office or ER in dental care department where the painkillers can stop the pain for the time being, and emergency treatment can stop the simple issues turning into serious trouble leading to a lot of time and effort. The issues treated thus can be taken over by your normal dentist and continued with the rest of the treatment.

Faulty or imperfect restoration:

Sometimes an emergency situation arises where the restoration has not been done properly. A denture is ill fitting, which is not made according to measurements properly may cause the gums to get irritated and bleed too much. In these cases, emergency dentist will fix the problem temporarily so that the bleeding and pain is stopped and then the normal dentist will carry on to correct the fault.

Adjustment during radiation therapy:

In oncology patients, a problem can arise due to a denture, or any other dental treatment in progress. In such cases an emergency dentist can intervene and removes the denture or any other impediment to the radiation therapy, like orthodontic wire and appliances while orthodontic treatment is on for the patient.

Having a toothache, or blisters in the mouth or chipped tooth are painful but they are not considered dental emergencies. They can be discussed on your dentist’s next appointment. But if you find yourself bleeding profusely from your mouth calls for an emergency visit to the dentist. If you have severe pain in the tooth or gums which cannot be controlled by painkillers is considered an emergency. If you have very loose tooth because of a hit in the face or mouth is an emergency. When you feel any swelling in the mouth on the gums then consider it as an emergency.

When you find yourself in a dental emergency, the first thing to do is call your dentist. Most dentists keep some time safe for dental emergency patients. It is also advisable to keep the contact number of your dentist for after office hour contact.

When dental emergency strikes, it may not always be possible to see your dentist immediately. Sometimes you may be travelling or quite far away from your dentist. Try to reach your dentist as quickly as possible because in certain situation a gap of half an hour between your accident and seeing a dentist may be a lost tooth.

At such a time you should follow certain guidelines recommended by dentists.

Traumatised or knocked out tooth.

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency which is in need of immediate attention. Follow appropriate actions and you may get your tooth reinstated. The first thing to do is pick up the fallen tooth by the crown, not the root. Roots should remain untouched because they are delicate. If you can avail of water, then rinse the tooth very gently to clean it. While handling it, be careful. Put a towel or wash cloth underneath while cleaning it with water. If you are washing it in the basin, put a cloth in the sink so that the tooth does not go down the drain if it slips.

You can try to put it back in its place. Hold it gently and place it in the socket from which it has been dislodged. Try to bite it down with gentle pressure.

If it is not possible to put it back in its socket, then hold it gently and put it in a small container. Preferably in milk. It stays live in a cup of milk. Carry the cup of milk to the dentist where he can reinstate it and revive the nerves.

If you can achieve all this with reaching the dentist as soon as possible, there is a good chance that you can get your tooth back reinstalled. The quicker you get it done the more chance of its reimplantation.

Loose and out of place tooth

During play, or sports, you may you find your tooth very loose with an impact on it from any hard surface, like a wall or the floor or any other hard object. If you find your tooth loose except when children are getting new teeth in place of old), you should call your dentist and ask to see him. Till you can see time, you must try to put the loose tooth back in its position. Hold it from above and try to put it back in its original position with your finger. Apply gentle pressure without forcing it. Bite down to keep the tooth in its place without moving it. Hold it in position with your dental pressure till you see your dentist.

Fractured teeth

Chipped teeth can wait till you see your dentist, but care should be taken to see that it is not chipped further. The dentist can smoothen the rough part and may repair it with resin composite material, giving it shape. Fractured tooth is a dental emergency and you should seek an immediate appointment with your dentist.

A fracture in the tooth is dangerous because not only the outside enamel but the inner tooth material, the pulp is also injured. Severe fractures are critical and the person may lose the tooth. When you find a fracture in your tooth, the first thing you do after calling the dentist is to clean your mouth with warm water. The fracture can be a result of impacted face. You can apply cold compress on your face to keep swelling in control. Do not apply painkiller to the gums because it may injure the gums. Take acetaminophen to reduce pain. Aspirin is a blood thinner. Do not take aspirin as it will cause further bleeding.

If you are near any medical facility, get an x ray done so that your dentist will see the place of injury and diagnose the condition of your teeth to determine if any inner tooth material is damaged. If pulp is damaged, then there will be a need to do root canal before putting a crown. If your dentist makes the crowns in his office, then he can put the new crown soon enough. Otherwise, he will put a temporary crown till the new crown gets made from the lab. The dentist will try everything to save your tooth but if it is not possible, he will suggest ways to replace the tooth.  By reaching the dentist on time and taking care of your tooth, there are good chances that your tooth is saved. With proper care, at least you can stop further damage to your gums.

Facial pain due to tissue injuries

An injury in the mouth, be it the gums, the tongue or the roof of the mouth are considered dental emergencies. If you find bleeding, lacerations or puncture wounds in the mouth, call your dentist immediately. You need to clean the tissue injury in the mouth with warm water. If your tongue is bleeding, hold the tongue out and press the wound with a clean napkin or gauze. Get an emergency appointment in any hospital. Take acetaminophen as directed. Never take aspirin or ibuprofen because they are blood thinners and cause more bleeding.

Severe abscess in the mouth is a dental emergency. Call your dentist immediately for an appointment.

Dental care is all about taking care of the teeth, gums and mouth. Dental care is an important part of our overall health because it is concerned with prevention of cavities and gum disease. Your dental care professionals are a part of your general health care professionals because teeth and mouth are a sizable part of your body’s health, and wellbeing. And we go to our dentist as part of our general health monitoring. Usually we plan our visits according to the schedule which is maintained by the dentist’s office and these schedules usually takes care of our overall dental care.

But there are times when you have to go beyond these regular appointments and ask for an emergency meeting with the dentists. When we are going through a toothache, we always feel that this is an emergency and instant cure is needed. But almost everyone who has toothache feels the same. So how do we decide that an urgent appointment is in order? So how do we decide to call for an instant appointment?

What are the signs of an emergency to see the dentist right away?

A broken or loose tooth

After all permanent teeth have erupted, there is no occasion to have a loose tooth in an adult. Once our teeth are matured, they are meant to last a life time for vigorous activities like eating, drinking, speaking and a healthy life. When you find your tooth coming loose because of injury or trauma, because of sports or accident, it is an emergency. Call your dentist immediately and seek an appointment.

If you meet with an accident and find yourself with no apparent injury to teeth, it is better to get yourself checked for possible injury to nerves or jaw damage, which may not cause visible symptoms but needs attention in any case.

Another concern about dentist attention is localized infection which can grow and end up in a grave gum disease or cavities. When you find a loose tooth, with accompanying ache, it is important to insist for an appointment. The earlier the dentist checks the tooth, the better it is because infections can be stopped right away with treatment and teeth can be saved from further decay.

When you have an intense pain in the tooth. When you are going through severe pain in your tooth it is surely imperative that you see your dentist immediately who can provide some relief from the pain with immediate treatment, because intense unbearable pain can lead to many other problems in addition to the pain. 

There can be many causes to the toothache and the treatment the dentist gives will depend on the cause.

Numbness in the tooth

When after many days of toothache, your tooth feels no pain, then it could be that the infection has reached the root, and nerves are no longer receiving and sending messages. Numbness in the tooth also is a worrying sign. When after many days of toothache, your tooth feels no pain, then it could be that the infection has reached the root, and nerves are no longer receiving and sending messages

Bleeding gums

If you find your gums bleeding after brushing or flossing, it’s a sign of gum disease like gingivitis. It would be normal if it happens once in a while. Sometimes you happen to brush little harder, or at other times a sticky food gets between teeth and refuses to move with light flossing. You try harder or longer and you find your jaw bleeding with repeated pressure on the jaw tissues. This may happen once in a while, but when you find the bleeding quite often then it is surely a cause for worry.

With the recurring bleeding and ache, you may find swelling in the gums. When you find the bleeding gums getting more frequent and aching after the bleed, it is a sign that you must call your dentist and ask for an immediate appointment.

When gum diseases are caught early, the infection can be arrested and your teeth can be saved. If the gum disease advances too much then the patient may reach a point of no return.

Take an appointment in time and the dentist will surely be able to treat the periodontal disease. Even when you find you find your jaw swollen is a sign that you should worry you about your teeth problems. The jaw may get infected, and get swollen for a variety of reasons. It is a definite sign for you to call for an immediate appointment with your dentist.

Usually swollen jaw is accompanied by bad taste or no taste in the mouth, little fever, and trouble breathing and swallowing. All these at the same time is a signing bell for meeting your dentist immediately. This can be salivary gland infection which is caused by bacteria which prevents saliva flow in the mouth and stops bacteria flushing out by it.

Frequent and sudden headaches

Headache are very common in our stressed life. There are many reasons one gets headaches, but constant recurring headaches may be a sign of something wrong with your teeth. When you have ruled out reasons for repeated headaches and cannot pinpoint any cause, it is a good idea to call for an appointment with the dentist. If you have a sudden headache, especially one accompanied by jaw pain, it may be a good idea to call the emergency dentist.

Metallic taste in the mouth

When you feel the taste of metal in your mouth it could be because the filling you have had earlier for your decayed tooth has come loose or has cracked. When you get this taste in the mouth seek an appointment with your dentist right away because open dental cavity is an invitation for bacteria and infection.

You’ve heard time and again that you should remain calm during an emergency. The following tips can prepare you so that you won’t need to panic the next time a dental emergency arises.

Step 1: Assess

The first thing to do is evaluate the situation to determine how serious it is. You shouldn’t take long to do this; just look around quickly to decide whether or not the injury needs the attention of emergency services.

For example, if the trauma has affected a large portion of the face and there is heavy bleeding, or the victim is unconscious, you’ll need to get professional emergency help right away.

If you realise that your child is just bleeding from a small cut on his or her lip, then that may be something you can attend to yourself.

Step 2: Clean Up

Have the injured person rinse their mouth out very gently with warm water. They should not swish vigorously; just rinse enough to get out any blood or debris. Salt water is good for cleansing a wound and reducing swelling.

Step 3: Reassure

The injured person may be quite shaken after an injury to the mouth, especially when bleeding is involved. Reassure them as you help clean up that everything will be okay. Calming them down will help you take better care of them during the process.

Step 4: Recover

If there are any broken teeth or restorations that chipped off during the injury, try to recover them. Accounting for the pieces minimises the risk of inadvertently swallowing them. It could also be helpful to show the dentist later what broke off, in case it can be bonded back.

What if an entire tooth was knocked out?

Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown (chewing portion). Avoid touching the root. Rinse it off in a bowl of clean cool water. Do not use soap. After rinsing off the debris, try to reinsert it back in the injured person’s mouth.

If reinserting the tooth isn’t an option, store it in a container of milk or have the victim keep it in their mouth, holding it between their cheek and teeth. See a dentist as soon as possible.

Step 5: Stop the Bleeding

There is often heavy bleeding with oral injuries. Apply clean gauze to the injured site and have the victim gently bite down to hold the gauze in place. Alternatively, bags of black tea leaves are good for slowing down bleeding.

Step 6: Treat the Pain

The injured person may need to take paracetamol for the pain. Make sure that if they take a painkiller that it’s one their doctor has stated is safe for them.

An icepack on the outside of the face is a good way to numb discomfort as well.

Step 7: Contact a Dentist

Get to a dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, you should have your dentist’s contact information at the ready. It’s important to know who you’ll call when a dental emergency arises and what to do if an injury occurs outside of office hours.

The next time you meet with your local dentist, make a point to discuss your emergency dental treatment options.