Dental Emergencies Can be Scary

Well, any emergency is scary. And anytime something involves the mouth, people tend to freak out. Your mouth is vital for everything – chewing, swallowing, talking – so any threat to your dental health is important to get checked out. Last year, the ADA put guidelines down for what constitutes a dental emergency during COVID; they basically said unless you have uncontrolled bleeding or symptoms of internal infection like bleeding, swelling, pain, etc., you don’t need to see an emergency dentist. And we get it; they wanted to help quell the spread of COVID. But we think that anything that causes your inner tooth to be exposed, like a broken filling or a cracked tooth, should also be included in reasons to see an emergency dentist. You don’t want to wait until you have an infection; you want to fix the issue that might cause an infection.

What to Do in Case of a Dental Emergency

First, if the issue is something like uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or moving your jaw, or swelling in or around the mouth – go to the ER. But if the issue is a toothache without blood or discharge, or a chipped tooth, filling or crown, these are things that can wait a day or two; they aren’t life threatening. The first thing to do is call an emergency dentist near you. Your family dentist likely has some wiggle room for emergency appointments.

In the meantime, there are some home remedies and over the counter treatments you can use in the time you’re waiting to see a dentist.

• Natural extracts for pain relief and protection from infection: Vanilla, garlic, clove and peppermint all have properties that help with pain and inflammation as well as protect from bacteria when applied to the affected area. Soaked cotton balls or tea bags work well.
• Temporary dental cement: You can actually find dental cement in some pharmacies to use as a temporary sealant. Clean out the affected area with a mouthwash of saltwater or hydrogen peroxide, then use the temporary cement to seal the cracked or broken area.
• Cold compresses: Short periods of applying ice packs to your face help with pain and inflammation. However, if the pain is nerve pain, this isn’t going to help.
• Over the counter anti-inflammatories or Tylenol

Choose the Right Emergency Dentist Near You

As far as emergency dentists in Cincinnati go, we’re the best choice. Our focus in all our services, from regular dental cleanings to full-blown broken tooth extractions, is gentle care in a relaxed environment. We’ll help you stay calm, explain exactly what needs to happen, and provide you fast, skilled, friendly care that is focused on your comfort. You don’t have to search through all the Cincinnati dentist practices out there; give us a call. You’re in great hands.