Human teeth are not exactly made of bone—they are calcified structures that house dental pulp within, making them a fusion of enamel, dentin, blood vessels, and nerves. It is precisely because teeth are not just bone that whenever they are damaged, individuals need to act quickly if they want to save their teeth. Teeth can be damaged as a result of external trauma or tooth decay, and the damage can lead to bleeding and pain.
Pain originating from your teeth does not wait; should you suffer from any sort of severe injury or infection to your teeth, you will feel the pain immediately. The discomfort caused may not necessarily be life-threatening, but it can adversely affect the quality of your life and the look of your smile. For such dental emergencies, you will want to see obliging dentists in Greenville, SC who can quickly attend to your needs before things get worse.
What Are Dental Emergencies?
Any dental condition that warrants immediate attention from a dentist can be considered a dental emergency. Deep and excruciating toothaches (especially due to tooth decay) are the most commonly identified dental emergencies, but they are not the only ones. Broken teeth as a result of physical trauma also qualify, especially when the loss of teeth results in excessive bleeding. Damaged dental appliances and/or prosthetics could also be considered a dental emergency if it’s affecting the patient’s quality of life.
What You Can Do Until You Find a Dentist
If you are experiencing throbbing and distracting pain in your teeth, you might want to attend to your condition yourself while looking for a dentist to attend to you. For cases of tooth decay, rinse your mouth with warm water to mitigate the possible bacterial infection and apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce the swelling. Avoid taking an aspirin, which could burn gum tissue, and instead seek a dentist as soon as possible.
For cases when your teeth are damaged due to trauma, save the broken pieces and rinse them in warm water as you would with your mouth. Apply a gauze to the bleeding part of your mouth for about 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Similarly, apply a cold compress outside your mouth nearest to the part that hurts, and then seek a dentist, taking the broken pieces with you. An emergency dentist in Greenville, SC, such as Dr. Kenna of Downtown Dental, should be able to quickly make time for your urgent dental needs.
Sources:
Common Dental Emergencies, aafp.org
What is a Dental Emergency?, knowyourteeth.com
