Dental Emergencies: What They Are and What To Do


Similar to other health problems, dental emergencies are inevitable, and they happen anytime. These situations require immediate dental care because they typically involve continuous bleeding, severe pain, and even tooth loss. So, it’s important to respond fast to these scenarios to lessen their chances of becoming worse. For a better understanding of what is considered a dental emergency, here are some examples:

Severe Toothache

Toothaches happen because of several reasons, but they are a clear sign that something is wrong with your teeth. Although they are manageable for some, others require medical attention, especially if their gums are already swelling and bleeding.

Broken Dental Braces

Braces are made of metal wires and brackets that help patients with bite problems. That is why they require constant care, particularly if parts of them become loose or broken. Their metal wires may stick out and poke your cheeks or gums and cause discomfort in your mouth. They also affect the straightening progress of your teeth if they’re not fixed immediately. 

Formation of Abscess

An abscess is a bacterial infection that causes pus to develop in the root of your tooth or in between your teeth and gums. This problem needs urgent treatment, as it can be painful and uncomfortable. 

Broken or Lost Permanent Tooth

In some cases, an accident causes a patient to break or lose one of their permanent teeth. It will not grow back since the nerves and blood vessels are damaged. The good news is, the tooth can still be put back as long as you get to your dentist in time. 

What To Do

These are just some of the dental problems considered to be an emergency. Aside from identifying these issues, it’s also important to be mindful of the initial actions you can do to prevent such problems from worsening. These include:

  • Cleaning your mouth using warm water with salt or other antibacterial mouthwashes to eliminate bacteria.
  • Applying cold compress on the painful area.
  • (For broken or lost permanent teeth) collecting each one of them and placing it in a cup of fresh milk and bringing it with you right away to the dentist.
  • (For bleeding gums) pressing a gauze gently on the injured area and holding it until the bleeding stops.
  • (For broken braces) placing a cotton ball in the broken part of your braces to prevent them from poking your mouth.

Consult With a Dental Expert

The most important step to do in these situations is to consult with a dentist. For solutions to any dental emergency, call our experts at Aegis Dental Group or Angola Dental Center. You may talk to us at one of our dental offices in Angola, Goshen, and Warsaw. Book an appointment today!


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