A dental emergency can happen at any time and any place. Imagine you are eating your Halloween candy, and you hear your tooth chipping. Or, you bite on a crunchy apple, and your tooth starts hurting. Preparing for such situations is essential to prevent the problem from worsening. You must have the number of a good Houston dental office saved, just in case.
In a dental emergency, you should see a dentist right away. Avoiding making an appointment can cost you later. You should also know the important steps to take to prevent your situation from escalating. Here are some steps to take in a dental emergency.
Take these steps in a dental emergency.
Find something to ease your pain before visiting the dentist.
If you have a dental emergency and cannot go to the dentist immediately, you must take steps to ease the pain while searching for professional help. Toothache can range from mild to excruciating, disrupting your lifestyle and preventing you from doing any task. There are a few things you can do, such as:
- Apply hot or cold pads to the affected area.
- Rinse your mouth, especially the affected side, thoroughly with water or a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol.
- If the pain is severe, use over-the-counter medications.
See if the problem is really a dental emergency.
Even though it is recommended to see a dentist every time you experience pain or something unusual with your teeth or gums, you must assess your pain level before you call for professional help. A pain scale can help you determine the pain level, and then you can proceed to the next steps.
- Pain level from 1-3 is minor, and you can wait.
- Pain level 4-6 is a moderate condition requiring you to visit a dentist whenever you get the chance.
- Pain levels 7-10 can heavily influence your health and daily life, and you should see a professional right away.
Find out the problem.
You should try to figure out what the exact problem is. Most dental problems cause pain and discomfort, but not all of them are dental emergencies. Schedule a dental appointment if you are experiencing one of the following issues:
- Tooth pain or swelling
- Tooth Abscess
- A Knocked out tooth
- Severe bleeding
- A broken or cracked tooth
- A fractured root
The mentioned problems can develop into severe complications if you do not act immediately. Do not hesitate to call the dentist’s office in Houston.