A dental emergency can happen to anyone at any time. It is a fact of life that accidents happen to people, and if you know what to do when a dental emergency occurs, you may be able to avert the potential risk of permanent damage. Injury to the teeth or gums should be attended to as soon as possible by a dental practitioner who is qualified to handle the particular emergency.
The following are some instances which can be classified as dental emergencies:
Sudden Toothache.
The pain from a toothache can be excruciating and hard to bear. If it is severe enough to affect your daily activities, it may be serious. Before calling the dentist for an emergency visit, clean your teeth and gums, rinse well and remove any debris that may be stuck between the teeth with dental floss. If the pain persists, immediate call your dentist.
Broken Tooth.
When a tooth is broken from a knock to the mouth, or having bitten down on something hard, it is an emergency that needs to be attended to immediately. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain and do not use any medication as it will interfere with the dental treatment.
Partially dislodged tooth.
A partially dislodged tooth needs immediate attention and is considered an emergency. Apply a cold compress but do not take any medication in case you have to have a surgical procedure under anesthetic.
Knocked out tooth.
Retrieve the tooth and immediately run it under clean water, holding it by the enamel part, to remove any dirt and place it in a clean plastic bag. If it is possible, try to replace it without forcing, making sure it faces the right way. A knocked out tooth has the highest chance of being saved if emergency treatment is applied within one hour of the accident. Do not take any medication as you may have to undergo surgery.
Lost filling.
If the pain is unbearable it is an emergency. If it is possible to bear the pain, you may apply a dental cement, to prevent infection and to keep food out of the cavity until you can see the dentist.
Lost Crown.
Retrieve the crown and rinse it. Rinse the mouth and attempt to replace the crown, dental cement will help. Contact your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. The longer you wait the more chance there is of infection setting in. Never use Superglue to stick the crown back in.
Broken jaw.
A broken jaw could have dislodged a number of teeth and is a dental emergency that should be attended to immediately by a dental surgeon.
Foreign object caught between teeth.
If you are unable to dislodge the object with dental floss or a toothpick, contact your dentist immediately. Do not use any sharp objects such as pins as they can damage your gums and cause infection.
Abscess.
Serious oral health problems can result from a tooth abscess, apart from the fact that it can be extremely painful, and is considered an emergency. See your dentist as soon as possible.
If you are not sure whether you are experiencing a dental emergency, it is best to contact your dentist anyway to determine the best course of action.
Also, if you find yourself in need of emergency dental services, getting dental insurance to cover your problem AFTER you discover a problem is impossible. That’s why we offer something called a dental discount plan.
A dental discount plan offers pre-determined discounts on popular dental services in your area. Click HERE to learn more about discount dental plans, their cost & the services available.
Not sure if we have a dental services provider in your area? Simply click HERE and enter your location and we’ll show you the dental providers in your area!
Dental insurance plans do not cover orthodontics care (braces) but dental discount plans do cover braces. This is another advantage of a dental discount plan. All in all, dental discount plans are a great way to save money on your visits to the dentist.
AmeriPlan USA is one of the reputable discount programs available to individuals within the United States. AmeriPlan’s Platinum Freedom Pass, Total Platinum and Healthcare Plan all provide you with that alternative.
AmeriPlan discount health and dental plans are designed to save you money while providing the health and dental care you and your family needs. Get started now and you’ll be amazed at the level of medical and dental services and the low cost.
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