Dental emergencies can strike at any moment, leaving you in excruciating pain and discomfort. As someone living or travelling in the beautiful seaside town of Bournemouth, emergency dentist bournemouth it’s important to know what to do in a dental emergency. Here are some steps you can take to alleviate the pain and preserve your oral health.
Step 1: Identify the type of dental emergency
Different dental emergencies require different types of treatments. While some can be managed at home, others require immediate attention from a professional dentist. The most common dental emergencies include:
– Toothache: Sudden or prolonged pain in a tooth or the surrounding gums
– Knocked-out tooth: Losing a tooth due to injury, accident or sports injury
– Broken or chipped tooth: A tooth that has broken or chipped due to injury or biting down something hard
– Fractured jaw: A cracked or broken jawbone due to a serious accident or impact
– Loose filling or crown: A filling or crown that has dislodged or broken
– Abscess: A pus-filled bump on the gums or the surrounding area of a tooth that can cause fever and swelling
Step 2: Manage the pain
Dental emergencies can cause severe pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing pain, use over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also use ice packs to reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected area.
Step 3: Call your dentist
In case of a dental emergency, the first person you should call is your dentist. Your dentist will assess the situation and provide guidance on what to do next. They may be able to schedule an emergency appointment or refer you to a dental specialist for immediate treatment.
If you’re unable to reach your dentist, you can seek help from the NHS 111 service, which is available 24/7. You can also visit the Bournemouth emergency dental service, which provides out-of-hours emergency dental care for patients who are not registered with a dentist.
Step 4: Preserve tooth or dental restoration
If your tooth or dental restoration has been knocked out or broken, it’s important to preserve it for possible reattachment or repair. Handle the tooth or restoration carefully and avoid touching the root or any tissue attached to it. Rinse it gently with clean water and keep it in a container of milk or saliva until you can see a dentist.
Step 5: Prevent future dental emergencies
Prevention is always better than cure. To prevent future dental emergencies, make sure you take good care of your teeth and gums by brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for routine check-ups and cleanings. Wear a mouthguard during sports activities to prevent tooth loss or injury. And avoid using your teeth as tools or biting down on hard objects like ice, pens and pencils.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can be scary, but by knowing what to do and who to call in Bournemouth, you can manage the situation and preserve your oral health. Remember to identify the type of emergency, manage the pain, call your dentist or the NHS 111 service, preserve the tooth or restoration, and take steps to prevent future emergencies. With these steps, you can hopefully be back to enjoying the many delights that Bournemouth has to offer without worrying about your dental health.