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What to Do in Dental Emergency

A recent study found that 26% of US adults have untreated dental issues. If you have untreated dental problems, they can increase the chances of an infection and can lead to dental emergencies. But what exactly is a dental emergency, and what should you do when you have one?

Don’t worry! We’ve investigated everything you need to know about dental emergencies. That way, you know what to do and not do in the event of an emergency.

Now, are you ready to get started? Here’s a quick look at dental emergencies:

What Is a Dental Emergency and What’s Not?

Before we get into what you should do, let’s look at urgent and non-urgent emergencies. You see, some dental problems need to be treated immediately, while others can be treated later. It can be difficult to determine what’s urgent and what’s not, so we created a list of issues commonly classified as urgent and non-urgent.

The following are considered urgent emergencies:

  • Injured jaw
  • Painful swelling
  • Knocked out tooth
  • Bleeding that won’t stop

The following are considered non-urgent emergencies:

  • Chipped tooth
  • Broken retainer
  • Dull toothache
  • Food stuck in teeth
  • Lost filling

What To Do In a Dental Emergency?

Call your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing an urgent dental problem. Most dentists have an emergency number if you have a dental emergency outside of normal business hours.

Typically, a dentist can get you in the next day or on the weekend. If a dentist cannot see you within the next day or two, visit an ER.

If you have a non-urgent emergency, call your dentist as soon as possible. However, since the issue is non-urgent, you will generally have to wait a few days.

What Can You Do At Home?

Depending on your dental issue, there may be things you can do at home to ease your pain. One of the most important things you can do is to stay calm. Anxiety can trigger body reactions which can worsen your problem.

So stay calm and stay positive; more than likely, everything will be okay. Try to relax and not do any strenuous activities; the best aid you can give your body is rest.

If you’re experiencing severe pain, take over-the-counter medication; it can alleviate some of the pain and discomfort. If you’re experiencing some swelling, use a cold compress. It can decrease swelling, reduce irritation, and stop bleeding.

Visit a Dentist Today

Having a dental emergency is scary. However, no two emergencies are the same; there are urgent and non-urgent emergencies.

If you have an urgent emergency, contact a dentist right away to get the problem treated and fixed before it worsens. If you have a non-urgent emergency, you should also contact a dentist as soon as possible but understand that you might not be seen right away.

Thankfully we at Rapha Dental have the best dentist in Beverly, NJ. Contact us today to schedule an emergency appointment.

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