If you have ever had a dental emergency then you understand how frightening and painful it can be. Often people are unsure what constitutes a dental emergency, who they should call, and what they can do at home when they experience a dental emergency in Poway CA.

Follow These Guidelines for Determining how To Best Handle Your Dental Emergency.

Is It Urgent?

Certain dental emergencies are urgent while others can wait to be treated. It’s especially important to understand the difference between the two if you experience a dental emergency over the weekend or at nighttime when dental offices are typically closed.

The following are examples of urgent dental emergencies:

• Bleeding that will not stop;
• A loose or knocked out permanent tooth;
• Injured jaw;
• Painful swelling;
• Painful toothache.

Urgent dental emergencies in Poway CA should be dealt with right away. Call your dentist immediately if you experience any of the above problems.

Most dentists have an emergency number in the event that you experience any of the above problems outside of business hours. If you are still unable to reach your dentist for whatever reason, visit the emergency room.

The Following Are Examples of Non-Urgent Dental Emergencies:

• Lost filling, crown, or bridge;
• Broken or cracked tooth (unless the tooth is causing you severe pain);
• Broken or damaged retainer or night guard;
• Food lodged between teeth;
• Dull toothache.

If you experience a non-urgent dental emergency, it is still recommended that you contact your dentist as soon as possible. However, it is usually not imperative that you are seen right away.

What To Do At Home If You Have A Dental Emergency in Poway CA

Depending on the dental emergency that you experience, there may be things you can do at home to help ease your pain and remedy the situation. Regardless of the emergency, one of the most important things to do is stay calm.

When you get anxious your body triggers a number of responses that may make your emergency worse, so try your best to remain calm while seeking the assistance that you need.

The following are a list of suggested things you can do at home to help ease any pain or discomfort caused by a dental emergency:

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a mug of boiling water and use it as a warm mouthwash to relieve irritation and reduce swelling;
• If you have a tooth knocked out, put it in a glass of milk until you can get to your dentist;
• Floss – if you are experiencing pain surrounding one specific tooth, it is possible that something has gotten stuck between your teeth or inside the gum tissue;
• Use a cold compress to help reduce swelling, numb irritation, and stop any bleeding that may occur;
• Swish with hydrogen peroxide to help kill bacteria and alleviate irritation.

Preventing Dental Emergencies in Poway CA

If you suffer a dental emergency, you may be wondering what you can do in the future to prevent another one from occurring. The best way to protect yourself from a dental emergency is to see your dentist twice a year for comprehensive hygiene visits. If you keep these appointments you are much less likely to have something painful and unexpected pop up in your mouth.

Dental emergencies are never fun, but knowing how to handle them can make all the difference in the world! Remember to consider whether the emergency is urgent or not and then contact our office right away to help you the next time you experience a dental emergency in Poway CA.