We’ve all been there, the moments after an unlucky turn of events or a bad choice, and something traumatic has been the result. At those times, your heart beats like a drum and your mind races. So the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and calm down. Panic never makes any dental emergency easier to resolve.
Instead, the best thing to do in case of the unpredictable is to be prepared. That way, you may spring into practical action and get the problem solved. The Gladnick Family and Cosmetic Dentistry team in Rockville, MD, is here to help.
Step One: Stabilize and Gather Information
In the case of dental emergencies, you will experience the kind that either hits you head-on and out of the blue, like crashing your mountain bike or the kind that sneaks up behind you and bites you in the rear. The second type occurs when a minor dental problem blossoms into a full-on dental emergency.
Either way, as you register your symptoms, bear one thing in mind. Some oral traumas, like a fractured jaw or lacerations inside your mouth, are better treated at a doctor’s office or emergency room. Dental issues, on the other hand, present with a few common symptoms, such as:
- Pain, moderate to severe
- Bleeding
- Inflammation
- Broken or cracked tooth
- Broken or lost filling or crown
- Infection signs like redness, swelling, and heat at pain site or general fever
If you have one or some combination of these symptoms, note the severity on a scale of one to ten. This way, you can report accurately and thoroughly when you call our dental office, which is the all-important second step to handling a dental emergency.
Step Two: Call Your Emergency Dentist for an Assessment
Armed with information on your symptoms and severity, Drs. Thomas and Elizabeth Gladnick’s team can gauge your potential malady and how best to respond. We can assure you that relieving your pain and stabilizing your condition will be our top priority.
Treat Dental Infections Promptly
A tooth infection tops the list under the category of dental emergencies that sneak up on you. The most pronounced type of infection is a tooth abscess, which happens when bacteria find their way deep into your tooth or gums. This is a fluid-filled pocket that is both progressive and highly infectious. You may feel a slight toothache with mild inflammation in the early stages.
If you ignore it, your abscess could burst, releasing concentrated infectious fluid. This release can risk your overall health, and if it happens, it should be treated immediately.
Dental Emergency Care in Rockville, MD
So now you should be more prepared in case of a dental emergency. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call our office for help. Let us relieve your pain and get you back on the road to recovery.
