The thing is that it always works out in the most inconvenient time. You might have been eating, you might have bumped your mouth, or just after waking up you have an excruciating pain that you cannot figure its source. You feel terrible. Not only is it the middle of the night and the dentist is not working now but you also do not know what your next step would be.
Firstly, inhale. You didn’t find yourself in this scenario alone, and it happens far more frequently than you’d think. Not only will a dental emergency put you in a scary and painful spot, but there are things you can do at the moment to control the situation until you receive professional help.
Below is a little guidance from me.
What Actually Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every tooth pain takes you to rush to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Yet, some circumstances really call for it. Here’s a little guide to help you decide:
It is considered a dental emergency if you experience what comes next:
- A tooth that is broken, chipped, or completely knocked out
- Intense or persistent tooth pain that does not subside
- A noticeable swelling of the jaw, gum, or face area
- Uncontrolled bleeding in the mouth
- A lost filling or crown that exposes a nerve or causes pain
- Any kind of mouth injury resulting from a fall or accident
In case you have any of these emergencies, you must contact an emergency dentist immediately. Don’t just wait and hope the pain will disappear by itself dental issues hardly ever get better without treatment, and postponing can cause complications.
A Knocked-Out Tooth: Act Fast
Probably the most time-sensitive dental emergency is when a tooth gets knocked out entirely. After that, your window for saving the tooth is basically around 30 to 60 minutes at the most.
Below is the right way to handle it:
When picking it up, grab the crown only – that’s the visible white part when you smile – not the root. Handling the root may harm the cells necessary for reattachment.
If there’s a need to rinse it, do so very gently with milk or clean water. Avoid scrubbing it or wrapping it with tissue.
If possible, put the tooth back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in a small cup of milk, or to keep up the moisture, you can even hold it between your cheek and gum.
After that, go to an emergency dentist without delay. Here, the timing is crucial.
Managing a Broken or Cracked Tooth
A cracked or chipped tooth usually doesn’t bleed a lot, but it can cause a serious toothache, mostly when the tooth comes into contact with something cold or hot.
Gargle with warm water to which you have added a small amount of salt. Besides keeping the wound clean, salt water gargle can relieve pain and inflammation. If there is swelling, a frozen pack wrapped in a cloth and applied to your cheek (never directly to the skin) can reduce swelling.
Don’t chew food with that part of your mouth, and don’t have very hot or cold food and drinks until you visit a dentist. You can use pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen, which are easily available, to help reduce discomfort, but only as a temporary solution.
Severe Toothache: Don't Just Push Through It
Severe tooth pain is your body’s notice to you that something might be wrong. Perhaps it’s an infection, a deep cavity, or maybe an abscess. An abscess accompanied by signs like swelling, a foul taste, or a pimple-like bump on your gum takes immediate treatment. If neglected, a dental infection might spread to other parts of the body.
Initially, you can rinse with warm salt water, take painkillers if the discomfort is intolerable, and schedule a visit with an emergency dentist at the earliest possible time.
When to Go to A&E Instead
If you experience extreme swelling of the face, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, or a very high temperature with toothache, you should immediately visit the nearest A&E. Such symptoms indicate that the infection might have spread from your tooth, and you require urgent medical intervention.
Merrion Square Dental Is Here When You Need Us
At Merrion Square Dental, we know that dental emergencies can happen any time, and the last thing you want is to wait for the clinic to open. Our friendly Dublin crew is well trained and prepared to manage your urgent dental problems swiftly and efficiently, assuring minimum discomfort to you.
From a chipped tooth to a biting pain to a dental trauma, you can count on us to relieve your pain and restore your life.
Contact Merrion Square Dental for Emergency Dentist Dublin →
Don’t suffer through the night wondering what to do. Reach out, and let us take it from there.