What To Do in Case of an Oral Emergency at Night?

What is a Dental Emergency?

An oral emergency is any situation where your mouth has been injured or affected and requires immediate treatment. There are many different causes of dental emergencies, from infection to falls. Although most of them are minor and do not require a trip to the dentist, it is important to know what to do if you experience one.

Dentists recommend waiting until morning to get treatment for injuries that don’t cause pain or bleeding. Still, if you experience a dental emergency at night, like an abscessed tooth or cracked molar needing immediate care, you should go immediately!

What Can You Do If you Have a Dental Emergency?

• Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water

Mix a teaspoon with warm water, and then rinse for about three minutes. Don’t swallow this solution; repeat as needed until you feel better. If you cannot use oral care items at night due to pain or infection, consider applying an ice pack directly onto your cheekbones. This will help reduce swelling and increase circulation so your face can heal faster!

• Use an Ice pack

Use ice on the cheek for 15-20 minutes. This will help to reduce the inflammation and pain associated with the emergency.

• Clean the crowns

If you lose a crown, clean it, hold it in place with dental cement if you have some on hand, and see your dentist as soon as possible. If you rupture gums, you may experience bleeding, and the edges of the broken crown can be sharp and cause cuts. You can stop the bleeding by biting a gauze pad or tea bag.

• Protect the knocked-out teeth

A knocked-out tooth can be saved by getting to a walk-in dentist near you quickly in most cases. Keep the tooth in its socket, and transport it in milk or saliva. Getting to the dentist within an hour is ideal for the best chances of saving the tooth.

• Reduce the pain

Severe pain from an abscessed tooth needs immediate attention from a dentist near you. In the meantime, apply a hot pack to help reduce pain and swelling.

Gum disease causes swollen gums that are painful when touched and make eating difficult. Try rinsing with warm salt water and avoiding foods that require chewing until you can get to a dentist for treatment.

What are the Complications of a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can lead to tooth loss and infection, so getting treatment as soon as possible is important.

• Toothache: The most common complication of dental emergencies is aching or pain in your mouth or head. This can be caused by an abscess, swelling around the nerve, and even an injury. These problems could cause permanent damage if not treated properly if left untreated.
• Swelling: Swelling around the affected area will likely cause discomfort when eating or drinking. This can also happen if trauma occurs during surgery, such as drilling through the bone using metal instruments instead of plastic ones (which would be easier on soft tissue).
• Redness: Redness may be seen around the area where the surgery was done. This redness will likely lessen over time but may continue to look slightly raised for a while.

How Can You Prevent Dental Emergencies?

Oral emergencies can happen at any time, and they’re often unexpected. That’s why it’s important to be prepared in case one happens to you or a loved one.

There are a few things to help prevent dental emergencies, such as maintaining oral hygiene, seeing our dentist in Sumter, SC for regular checkups, and wearing a mouthguard if you play sports.

Take Action

If a dental emergency does occur, it’s important to act quickly and seek professional treatment. In some cases, such as a cracked tooth, you may be able to treat the problem at home. However, other problems, such as toothache, may require professional care. Knowing what to do in case of a dental emergency can help you get the treatment you need and avoid further complications.

Visit Restorative Arts Dental for assistance and proper treatment if an oral accident occurs.