Types of Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is a sudden pain, discomfort, or injury to the mouth that jeopardizes the health of teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue. Accidents happen, and dental emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. Many common dental emergencies involve injury to the soft tissue of the mouth.

If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to call us right away. We will get you in to see the dentist as soon as possible.

Here are some common dental emergencies:

Toothache

A toothache happens when you have an infection. This can occur if your tooth’s nerve gets inflamed or infected. Aside from that, a toothache can also be caused by tooth decay, broken tooth, or exposed tooth root.

Broken Tooth

If a front tooth breaks, you’ll want to call your dentist immediately. If the break is minor, your dentist may be able to repair it by placing a dental crown over the tooth. However, if the break is severe, the tooth may need to be extracted.

If your tooth breaks, rinse your mouth with warm water and keep it clean. If the break has caused severe pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Chipped Tooth

When a tooth is chipped, it may lose some enamel. However, the nerves and blood vessels aren’t affected. So, you don’t need to worry if you have a small chip. The tooth can still be restored with dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Small chips don’t usually cause pain. However, if the tooth is sensitive, it may be painful to eat or drink hot or cold items.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment.

The tooth should be placed back in the socket and stabilized. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place it in salt water or milk to keep it moist. Call your dentist right away.

Dental Abscess

An abscessed tooth is a serious infection that requires immediate treatment. If left untreated, an abscessed tooth can not only damage your teeth and gums it can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as sepsis (blood poisoning). Treatment for an abscessed tooth involves draining the abscess and treating the area around the tooth to prevent reinfection.

To learn more about dental emergencies, contact Korte Family Dentistry at (402) 489-3115 or visit us at 3901 Normal Blvd STE 202, Lincoln, NE 68506. We will be happy to guide you further.