Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any injury, condition, or pain that demands immediate treatment. Dental emergencies are painful and should be treated as soon as possible. Here are some common dental emergency situations:

Broken Tooth

Teeth can break due to a number of different reasons, but the most common reason is trauma to the face or mouth. If your teeth suddenly break, schedule an emergency appointment with your emergency dentist in Boston, MA. If you aren’t able to come in within the hour, place a piece of sugarless gum in the cavity or the broken tooth to keep it from drying out. The sooner you’re able to get treatment, the better your chance of success!

The second most common cause of a broken tooth is decay. If a cavity gets deep enough, it will reach the nerve and cause a toothache. At this point, the decay has reached the root surface and cannot heal on its own. When the tooth breaks at the gum line, this is called a periodontal abscess. This type of infection requires immediate treatment. Also, if the pain in your mouth is so intense that you can’t focus on anything else, you should go to urgent care as soon as possible. 

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a common dental emergency that usually requires quick treatment by a dentist or endodontist. If you can find the tooth, be sure to keep it moist at all times and get to the dentist quickly. If you can’t find the missing tooth, try searching along your gum line to see if it has been pushed up and become dislodged.

Don’t touch the roots of the knocked-out tooth, as doing so can damage the cells necessary for bone reattachment. Instead, rinse your mouth gently with warm water and apply a cold compress to your cheek to minimize swelling. For severe pain, take an over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen. Apply gauze to the empty socket to prevent bleeding.

Once the knocked-out tooth is safely in your dentist’s care, prompt treatment will help ensure it has the best chance of being successfully re-implanted. If the injury has damaged any of your other teeth, they may need restorations as well.

Once your knocked-out tooth has been put back in place, it will remain prone to damage until it is fully healed. To protect your tooth from further harm, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and avoid activities that could damage your teeth. Finally, be sure to see your dentist for regular checkups, so any underlying oral health issues can be caught and treated early.

Severe Toothache

If a toothache comes on suddenly, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to determine the cause and fix the problem. They can indicate a serious underlying issue that should be addressed by a dentist as soon as possible. 

If you or a family member experiences a dental emergency, contact our dentist in Boston, MA, right away. For the best dental care, visit Charles Street Dental at 121 Charles St S Boston, MA, or call (617) 579-8800.