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Dental emergencies can strike at any moment, often causing physical discomfort and unrepairable damage. Not knowing how to address these cases can be overwhelming. While visiting a dentist near Sergeant Bluff right away is key, being informed of what treatment awaits you beforehand can help you calm your fears.

To ensure you get the best dental care as soon as possible and safeguard your smile, here's a guide explaining common dental emergencies, what causes them, and how a qualified emergency dentist will work to bring your oral health back to top condition.

5 Common Dental Emergencies and Ways to Treat Them  

1. Toothache

Toothaches are among the most common dental emergencies. Several factors can cause dental pain, from tooth decay to gum disease, but in all of them, immediate treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading further.

Not all toothaches indicate an emergency, though. If the pain lasts longer than a day and you also experience fever or swelling, it’s a sign you require emergency dental care.

• How We Treat It: The treatment for a toothache depends on the underlying issue. For example, we will remove the decay, clean the area, and restore your tooth with a filling if it has cavities. If the nerve is damaged, a root canal treatment may be necessary. If the cause was gum disease, we would suggest laser periodontal treatment.

2. Knocked-Out Tooth

One of the most alarming dental emergencies is a knocked-out tooth. If re-implanted within an hour of the injury, the tooth may be saved, so it's key to come to our dental office as soon as possible.

In this situation, the first step is to remain calm and locate the tooth. Rinse it with water without touching the root, and keep it moist by placing it in a cup of milk or saliva. You can also place it back into its socket and bite gently.

• How We Treat It: If you can preserve the tooth and reach our dental office in time, we will attempt reinserting it. However, if the tooth doesn’t recover, we may suggest restorative dentistry options such as dental implants.

3. Broken or Chipped Tooth

Biting down on a hard object or an injury can result in a chipped or broken tooth. These injuries can range from minor chips to significant breaks that expose nerves, but if the pain is severe, immediate dental care is necessary.

However, there are some things you can do to provide relief right away. To lessen swelling, gently rinse your mouth and use a cold compress. Next, get in touch with an emergency dentist so they can assess the damage.

• How We Treat It: Depending on the degree of the fracture, treatment options may involve crowns for more significant damage or bonding for minor chips. In extreme situations, root canal treatment may be required. Never disregard dental damage, no matter how small, as it may cause further problems if left untreated.

4. Lost Filling or Crown

A lost crown or filling can be sensitive and painful, and it needs to be treated immediately to prevent the tooth from getting worse.

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to try to keep the area clean. Applying dental wax or sugarless gum to a tooth with a sharp edge or sensitivity can offer short-term relief until you can see an emergency dentist.

• How We Treat It: To protect your dental health going forward, we will determine whether the filling or crown can be replaced or if a more involved procedure is necessary.

5. Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is a serious infection in the tooth or gums that can result in fever, discomfort, and swelling. To prevent the infection from spreading or causing more harm, it needs to be treated by a dentist right away.

Symptoms frequently include severe toothache, gum swelling, and a foul taste in the mouth due to drainage. If you suspect you have an abscess, contact an emergency dentist immediately.

• How We Treat It: Antibiotics, abscess drainage, and a root canal if the tooth is seriously damaged.

Find Qualified Care Help From a Dentist Near Sergeant Bluff

Dental emergencies can be both painful and frightening. Nevertheless, by knowing what to expect, you can calmly assess the situation and work rationally to recover the health of your smile.

It is important to seek immediate dental care for a sudden toothache or having lost a filling or crown. Reach out to Wheelock and Associates Dentistry and let us help you restore your oral health to top condition!