Dental emergencies occur when you expect the least. Whether it is a sudden toothache or an injury to the teeth and gums, you have to seek immediate care. It often happens that dental clinics aren’t open at odd hours or have fixed timings, making it increasingly hard to see a dentist. You may have no option but to wait until your San Jose dentist is available, but in this detailed guide, we are sharing some quick suggestions for handling common dental emergencies.
- Toothaches: Toothaches could result from an underlying cause, such as injury, decay, gum disease, and cavities. If you have pain in a tooth, you can consider rinsing your mouth with warm water until you go to the dental clinic. Do not try to use any medication against the gums. Instead, call your dentist’s office and see if you can take an over-the-counter medicine for pain relief. A complete oral exam during the next visit will help find the reason for the toothache.
- Chipped/broken tooth: Your teeth can chip or break under bite pressure, sudden trauma, or injury. This is a dental emergency, and you should schedule the appointment as soon as your dentist is available. Rinse the mouth using warm water, and if you have found broken pieces, retain them. If there is bleeding, you can place gauze in the area for a few minutes. For pain relief, use a cold compress on the cheeks.
- A tooth that’s knocked off: Sudden trauma, injury to the mouth, and sports injuries can knock off a tooth. Consider this a serious situation and check with your dentist immediately. If you have found the tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse it under water if there is dirt or debris. Do not try to get rid of the tissue fragments around the root. If possible, place the knocked-out tooth back in the socket in the same original position. Otherwise, you can place it in milk in a clean container. If you see your dentist within an hour, they might be able to put it back in place.
- A dislodged tooth: A blow or injury may not knock a tooth entirely, but it can get extruded. The pain can become unbearable, and you may have extreme bleeding. Before you go to your dentist, you can use a cold compress on the correct side of the cheek to get some pain relief. Ask the clinic for a pain reliever, and don’t try to touch the tooth with your tongue or mouth. Such emergencies require fast action, so don’t delay booking the appointment.
- Food lodging: Even a small thread of vegetable or meat between two teeth can cause serious discomfort and pain. In most cases, it may be possible to use a water flosser to remove the object, but if you cannot do that, call the dental clinic. There isn’t much you can do in such situations. Avoid using any sort of pin or poking gadget to get the object out. That can lead to severe infections and other complications.
- Lost filling/crown: Crowns and fillings are not permanent. If the filling of a tooth has come off, you can stick a piece of gum (ensure it doesn’t contain sugar or sweeteners) until you reach the clinic. When a crown is broken or has come off, you can keep it in a clean container. Do not try to put it back. If there is a toothache due to the missing crown or filling, you can always use a pain reliever after talking to the dental clinic staff. Using clove oil for temporary relief is also recommended.
Check online to find dental clinics in San Jose that offer emergency services!
