Dental emergencies can be extremely traumatic, especially as they are usually accompanied by a great deal of pain. We are all intrinsically aware of how important our teeth are, both to our appearance and the way we are able to lead our lives, so it can be very stressful when something bad happens to our teeth.
It is important to know what steps to take in case of a dental emergency so that you can receive the necessary treatment as soon as possible. This almost always involves seeing a dentist as soon as possible. If a dental trauma occurs during practice hours your dentist will be able to see you in between other appointments. Dental emergencies will always take priority over regular appointments as time is often of the essence. If the emergency happens outside of normal practice hours your dental practice will usually have contact information on their answering service. This will inform you how to get in touch with the on-call dentist and seek advice.
There are many types of dental emergency that can occur. These can be due either to a physical accident or as the result of a long-term problem that has finally erupted. There are a few simple steps you can learn for some situations that could increase your chances of successful treatment.
If a tooth is knocked out, it may be possible to replace immediately. Do not force the tooth back in, but if it slots in naturally you should hold it there with a wet gauze (a wet tea bag will suffice in the absence of anything else). If the tooth will not go back in, cover it with saliva or milk and see a dentist as soon as possible.
Dental pain can be treated with painkillers and often using a cold compress on the outside of the cheek will lessen the pain and numb the area. Whatever the emergency, try to reduce the pain, preserve any teeth or parts of teeth and see a Leeds dentist as soon as possible.
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