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Tooth Aches & Other Emergencies

Dental EmergencyOur teeth are not supposed to hurt. Pain is normally an indication of a problem. By having regular preventive dental visits, most dental can be prevented. Dental pain can be associated with:
  • Deep decay
  • Missing filling or lost crown
  • Infection
  • Broken teeth
  • Late stages of gum disease
  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Trauma
  • Gum recession exposing root surfaces
Unless a tooth breaks or as a result of trauma, dental pain does not normally start suddenly. It starts slight and perhaps infrequent. It gradually builds till the pain can be intolerable. Before it become severe is the time to call.

On occasion, Dr. Chetan Bhole will have a new patient call late at night on a week-end who says they have a dental emergency. When asked how long it has been hurting, often the response is "all week long". Again, the best time to call is when you first notice the pain.

An infection in a tooth or area of gum can quickly increase in size. Dental infection can grow to infect the eyes or spread to the neck. A serious dental infection can result in the need for hospitalization. Again, at the first sign of swelling, please call. Immediate swelling as a result of trauma, such as being hit in the face is not infection but it may later lead to infection.

Trauma to the teeth can be preventedTrauma to the teeth is an immediate situation that may require immediate care. Trauma to the front teeth can be reduced or eliminated by using a sports mouthguard. If a front tooth is knocked out from trauma, please do the following:

 

 

  • Transport the tooth and the patient to the dentist as soon as possible.
  • If possible, quickly clean the tooth with clean water, do not rub or scrape it, and place it back in the socket.
  • If you cannot re-insert the tooth, if the person is old enough, place the tooth inside the mouth next to the cheek. If there is any chance that the person will swallow it, do not place it in the mouth.
  • The next best place to put the tooth is milk. If milk is not available, place the tooth in clean water. Again, do not rub or scrape the tooth clean.
  • RUSH to the nearest dentist. If you are out of town, do not wait to see us. The sooner the dentist can re-implant the tooth and stabilize it, the greater the chance that it will get re-attached and tighten up.
If a front tooth is not totally knocked out but is loose, also rush to a dentist. If the tooth is stabilized, often it will tighten up and require no other treatment. A tooth that has been knocked out or is severely loosened normally will require root canal treatment.

If trauma to a front tooth breaks but does not loosen it, several things can happen. Small chips normally do not need immediate care. They can often be smoothed or filled at a later date. If the break is close to the nerve of the tooth or exposes the nerve, immediate care is required. Normally the inside of a tooth is white or slightly yellow. If you see pink inside the tooth or if the tooth bleeds internally, call us.

If the trauma results in severe bleeding or open wounds to the lips of face, it is best to try and stop bleeding as soon as possible. While Dr. Chetan Bhole uses stitches for extractions and other dental procedures, severe facial bleeding will require closure by a physician. Facial wounds may also require closure by a plastic surgeon for the best esthetic results.

Prevention of dental emergencies is far better than treatment.

 

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