How to Treat a Painful Dental Emergency with Ease

Picture this: it’s the night before you embark on a long, much needed vacation to (insert dream destination here). Just as you lay your head on your pillow for a few hours of pre-getaway shut-eye, you suddenly feel the presence of a dull toothache...

The Sooner You Treat Your Dental Emergency, the Better.

Picture this: it’s the night before you embark on a long, much needed vacation to (insert dream destination here). Just as you lay your head on your pillow for a few hours of pre-getaway shut-eye, you suddenly feel the presence of a dull toothache. You try to ignore it in hopes that it’ll go away, but this dull ache beings to increase in pressure–escalating from a mild discomfort to a sharp, pulsating sensitivity that makes it impossible for you to sleep peacefully. Welcome to the discomforts of a dental emergency.

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Most of the time, they occur when you’re least equipped to handle them–such as while traveling or in the middle of the night. The team at Beaufils Dental is here to tell you that there are ways to overcome a dental emergency without having to endure long-term pain and discomfort. After all, as a Cooper City emergency dentist, I’ve seen a number of patients walk through my doors with conditions ranging from painful swelling to unbearable toothaches. The key is to stay steps ahead of your pain and discomfort, before it escalates to a more serious dental condition.

To better prepare in the event of this uncomfortable scenario, here are some common dental emergencies and precautions you can take to prevent your condition from worsening.

Common Dental Emergencies

Some dental emergencies can lead to serious conditions if not treated immediately. The sooner you treat your dental emergency, the better your chances are for a speedy recovery and long-term dental health. While we recommend these emergencies be assessed with a dental professional, there are some things you can do at home to ward off pain and discomfort until a resolution is met:Loose tooth: A partially dislodged tooth is a pretty good reason to panic. However, your dentist may be able to save your loose tooth. An over-the-counter pain reliever and a cold-press can help dull the ache for a short while, but contacting your dentist as soon as possible can ensure the safety of your loose tooth.

A cracked or broken tooth: Not only does a cracked or broken tooth cause physical discomfort, but it can keep you from smiling wide and proudly. Nevertheless, this condition requires extra urgency, so contact your dentist immediately. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold press to the area to keep the discomfort at bay.
A persistent toothache: A sudden toothache that just won’t go away can dampen anyone’s spirit. To make matters worse, it seldom goes away on its own and can lead to serious oral health complications. To temporarily lessen your degree of pain, rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the affected tooth to ensure that there is nothing lodged around it.
An object lodged between the teeth: Depending on the severity of this condition (i.e what is lodged in your teeth), you may require immediate assistance. You can first try gently removing the object with floss. If that doesn’t work, contact your dentist.
Issues with braces: As a dental office that offers orthodontic services, we’re well aware of the discomfort patients may feel with damaged braces. In mild cases, damaged braces can be repaired in your next appointment. However, other cases require immediate attention, as they can affect the quality of your treatment (not to mention it can be painful to endure). It’s best to consult with an orthodontist/general dentist to determine if your condition qualifies as a dental emergency.

Don’t Let a Dental Emergency Ruin Your Peace of Mind

While these precautions can help temporarily ward off a small degree of pain, seeking the help of an emergency dentist can save you significant discomfort. Beaufils Dental is an emergency dentist in Cooper City who can assess your oral discomfort as soon as it arises. We’ll offer you the best options to provide immediate relief and schedule an appointment for you during regular business hours for a more in-depth treatment.

Don’t wait for your condition to worsen and possibly develop into something more serious! Call our after-hours emergency line at Beaufils Dental (954-937-8251) on weeknights, weekends and holidays for a dental evaluation.