Dental emergencies can be traumatic for adults and children, as it involves acute pain in the teeth, gums, supporting bone structure, or other structures in or around the mouth. Patients should not ignore injuries that have been inflicted on the teeth and gums, and should seek immediate treatment. Ignoring a dental emergency could lead to serious and permanent damage, as well as expensive restorative treatments.

Toothaches

Individuals should thoroughly rinse their mouths with warm water, and if the pain is not too severe, should use dental floss to remove any lodged food particles. If the mouth is swollen, patients should apply a cold compress to the exterior of the mouth or cheek. Patients should never allow an aspirin or other painkiller to come into contact with their gums as it could burn the gum tissue. Individuals should consult an emergency dentist in Saratoga Springs as soon as possible for treatment.

Chipped or broken teeth

Individuals with chipped or broken teeth should save any broken pieces. They should rinse their mouths with warm water and rinse any broken pieces of the tooth. If they’re bleeding, individuals should apply a piece of gauze to the affected area for approximately 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.

A cold compress should be applied to the exterior of the mouth, cheek, or lip area near the broken or chipped tooth to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Individuals should consult an emergency dentist in Salt Lake City for treatment in order to prevent infections, relieve pain, and save the broken or chipped tooth.

Soft tissue injuries

If the tongue, lips, or cheeks are bitten, cut, or punctured and start bleeding, individuals should apply a firm pressure on the injured areas with gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not subside within 15 minutes, patients should contact their dentist or physician immediately for further treatment. Emergency dentists—like the physicians at Alpenglow Dental—can assist patients in Sandy, South Jordan, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Saratoga Springs, and other locations in Utah.

(Article Information and Image from Dental Emergency Procedures Can Help Save a Tooth; Colgate)

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The tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, making the teeth harder than the bones. No matter how careful you may be, however, you can’t avoid accidents that cause you to chip a tooth or worse, knock one out entirely. An article posted on the Academy of General Dentistry website discusses what you need to do to save a knocked out tooth:

“… It is important to see your dentist within an hour of when your tooth is knocked out for the best chance of the tooth surviving the trauma. Handle the tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom).

Touching the root of the tooth can damage cells that are necessary to reattach the tooth to the bone. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt… Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist… If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk or saline solution (the solution used for contacts)… The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure there are no remaining pieces of the tooth.”

If you fail to save your teeth, you would need to undergo a tooth replacement procedure to prevent bone loss and the drifting of your neighboring teeth. Not only will these conditions affect the appearance of your face and smile, but they will promote periodontal disease and tooth decay, as well. To avoid replacement costs and keep your oral environment healthy, visit a trusted Utah emergency dentist as soon as possible.

Typically, emergency dentists in Utah such as those from Alpenglow Dental operate on extended office hours to accommodate untimely situations. These dental professionals will provide immediate treatment to save your tooth and prevent additional damage.

(Article Information and Image from What to Do in a Dental Emergency, Academy of General Dentistry)