Although the COVID-19 virus is at the forefront of most Americans’ minds, it still doesn’t stop dental emergencies from happening. The good news is that if one strikes, there is help available, but first you need to know how to identify the symptoms. Continue reading to discover the typical indicators that it’s time to contact an emergency dentist in Braintree for treatment.
Toothache
If you feel sharp pain in your gums, tooth or jaw, it could be a sign of acute oral bacteria accumulation. This is a time-sensitive matter that shouldn’t be ignored. You should immediately contact a dentist. Until you can be seen, you can rinse your mouth with a salt-water solution, apply ice to the outside of your jaw to reduce any swelling and take ibuprofen to temporarily ease the pain.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Attempting to bite into a hard substance, receiving a blow to the face or taking a hard fall can result in a chipped or broken tooth. If this happens, you should definitely reach out to a local dentist. While you wait to be treated, you can apply an icepack to reduce the swelling and quiet some of the discomfort. Until you’ve been treated, you should avoid any usage on that side of your mouth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a tooth is knocked out, it’s important to act swiftly so that it can be salvaged. Carefully grabbing it by the crown and being sure not to remove any tissue that is attached, rinse the tooth under cool water. Then, try to reattach it. If that doesn’t work, you can store in a cup of milk until you can be treated.
Lost Filling/Crown
A lost filling or crown leaves your tooth vulnerable to debris and bacteria entering the sensitive inner area. If this happens, you can be stricken with a painful infection. Thus, it’s important to have a dentist restore your tooth as soon as possible. As a temporary means of protection, you can apply dental adhesive or toothpaste to the fixture and attempt to reinsert it.
Don’t Hesitate to Seek Care
Even if you’re successful with easing any discomfort or temporarily securing a dislodged tooth or fixture, you shouldn’t assume that the problem’s solved. It’s still of the utmost importance that you visit your local dentist to have a toothache in Braintree or any other dental emergency treated.
Why You Should Avoid the ER or Urgent Care Centers
The COVID-19 crisis has placed a significant strain on America’s healthcare system, with hospital and urgent care centers being flooded with potentially infected patients. Thus, unless you have oral bleeding that has persisted for more than 10 minutes or a broken jaw, you should seek treatment for a dental emergency from a local dentist.
Not only will this help to control the spread of COVID-19, but it will also ensure that you receive the absolute best care possible.
About the Author
Dr. Clark Ingoldsby is a graduate of the Temple University School of Dentistry. With over 30 years of experience in private practice, he has successfully treated his fare share of dental emergencies. Although he has temporarily placed a hold on any elective procedures because of COVID-19, Dr. Ingoldsby is still available to help you recover from a dental emergency at Pinnacle Dental. He can be reached for more information through his website. ٚ