Dental emergencies are never fun to deal with, but unfortunately, they happen to the best of us. Spotting a dental emergency early and dealing with it quickly is important for a good recovery. Read on to learn how to handle a dental emergency.
Signs of a Dental Emergency
Knowing how to handle a dental emergency might depend on the type of dental emergency you’re dealing with. Some dental injuries are from tooth decay that happens slowly over time, while other dental injuries happen suddenly due to a car accident, sports injury, fall, or other trauma.
Signs of a dental emergency might include a chipped, broken, or knocked-out tooth if trauma is the cause. Other signs might include discoloration or a dark spot on a tooth, indicating a cavity or other dental condition caused by tooth decay.
Some signs of dental emergencies aren’t visible, though, such as increased dental sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, discomfort when chewing or biting down, or persistent toothache.
What to Do First
If you experience any signs of a dental emergency, contact your dentist right away. The most important thing to know in a dental emergency is how to get treatment as soon as possible to help ensure a successful and quick recovery.
Managing Your Symptoms
The second most important thing you should know about how to handle a dental emergency is how to manage your symptoms until you can get to your dental appointment. If you’re experiencing discomfort, using a cold pack or over-the-counter pain medication can help provide some relief. Always check with your doctor first to make sure a medication is safe to use.
Keep Your Dentist’s Number Handy
You never know when a dental emergency is going to happen, so it’s crucial to be prepared. Make sure to write down your dentist’s phone number anywhere you keep emergency contact numbers. It can also be helpful to add your dentist’s number to your phone contacts to ensure that it’s always with you and easy to access whenever you might need it.
Being able to act quickly in an emergency can make a world of difference to helping you get relief and treatment to ensure your best chance of a quick recovery.
Call our Phoenix, AZ, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.