According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of the people on the planet have some form of dental condition. Most of these conditions are not critical, but sometimes extraordinary situations arise that require emergency dental care.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency refers to cases that threaten the patient’s life and/or require immediate medical attention. This can include severe bleeding, unbearable pain, swelling, jaw trauma, and more.
In such situations, it is essential to seek help immediately; otherwise, you risk losing a tooth or triggering the development of an infectious condition. At Yarema Dental, we offer quick dental assistance to patients in Kyiv and the opportunity to get an appointment on the day of contact.
Symptoms of Dental Emergencies
Symptoms indicating a dental emergency include:
- Severe bleeding in the mouth
- Sharp pain
- Facial trauma, tooth, or jaw injuries
- Severe swelling in the mouth, gums, neck, or eye area
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should seek immediate emergency dental care.
Types of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can be broadly categorized into three groups: 1) pain and swelling, 2) injuries, and 3) bleeding. Each of these conditions requires urgent dental care.
Severe Toothache
Severe toothache is intense, spontaneous, pulsating pain. It is often accompanied by a rise in temperature and can radiate to the ear, throat, or jaw. If you experience severe tooth pain, seek emergency dental care. While waiting for your appointment, you can:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove food debris.
- Apply a cold compress to the area where the pain is localized.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. Never place an aspirin tablet on the painful area, as it can harm your gums.
Abscesses and Swelling
A dental abscess is a pus-filled swelling in the mouth. It is usually accompanied by pain, red gums, fever, and heightened tooth sensitivity. If an abscess is not treated promptly, the swelling can spread further to the neck, jaw, or lymph nodes. If you notice swelling in your mouth or on your face, seek dental assistance immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If you have lost a tooth, do not panic and try to act quickly.
- Find the tooth, holding it only by the upper, white part. Do not touch the tooth root!
- If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it in milk or a contact lens solution.
- Attempt to place the tooth back in its socket and bite down gently to hold it in place.
- If reinserting the tooth is not possible, do not force it. Instead, place the tooth in a clean container with milk or a contact lens solution. Do not let the tooth dry out!
- Seek emergency dental care immediately. The best results can be achieved by seeing a dentist within an hour.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Injuries to the gums, tongue, or cheeks can lead to bleeding. To stop the bleeding:
- Apply a clean gauze pad to the bleeding area for 10 minutes.
- Rinse your mouth with warm, slightly salty water afterwards.
- If the bleeding does not stop, seek immediate dental care.
What to Do If You Need Emergency Dental Care
You can call Yarema Dental any day to receive quick dental assistance in Kyiv. Describe your symptoms, and our doctors will provide you with professional help to restore your smile’s health and beauty.
