There are many reasons why you might need a top quality dentist in Nashville for a dental emergency. Its important to remember that accidents happen and you need proper care when you are in need of a dentist to take your dental pain away. Here are 5 very common Dental Emergencies and what you can do before seeing a dentist.

5 Common Dental Emergencies

1. Toothache

Toothaches are not fun. If you’re feeling pain, it’s usually your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong, and when it comes to teeth, it could be anything from a cavity to something more serious. Not all toothaches need immediate attention, but if you notice swelling, that’s a clear sign you should see a dentist as soon as possible. We recommend skipping the painkillers directly on your gums as they can actually harm the tissue. Instead, try putting a cold compress on your cheek and get in touch with an emergency dental clinic. After you’ve been treated, your dentist will probably remind you how important it is to stick to good oral hygiene habits to avoid future issues like cavities or worse problems down the road.

And its important to Specific toothache symptoms can vary but may include:

• A dull ache that doesn’t go away.
• Sharp, jabbing tooth pain.
• Throbbing tooth pain.
• Teeth sensitivity.
• Swelling in your gums.
• Headaches.
• Fever.
• Chills.

2. Chipped or broken teeth

A chipped or broken tooth can be more than just a cosmetic issue — it can really hurt! First, rinse your mouth with warm water and use a piece of gauze if there’s any bleeding. To help with swelling and discomfort, hold a cold compress on the side of your face near the injury. As you wait for emergency dental care, your dentist will probably remind you to be careful with hard or crunchy foods and be mindful of activities like sports that can put your teeth at risk of chipping again.

3. Lost filling or crown

Crowns and fillings are there to keep your teeth looking and working their best, so if one breaks, it’s important to get it fixed quickly to avoid more damage or even infection. While you’re waiting to see your dentist, here’s a temporary solution: place a bit of sugarless gum over the cavity, but don’t try to repair it yourself — that could make things worse. If the crown or filling came out completely, pop it into a zip-top bag and bring it with you to the dentist, so they can either reapply it or fit you with a new one.

4. Bleeding and pain after a tooth extraction

It’s normal to feel a little pain and see some bleeding after a tooth extraction. This should go away after a while. But if it’s still bothering you an hour later, it’s best to give your dentist a call. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to help:

• Place a thick gauze pad over the area where your tooth was pulled and bite down gently to apply pressure.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth, drinking liquids, or eating anything for a while.

5. Knocked-out tooth

If you’ve knocked out a tooth, pick it up by the top part (the crown) and gently rinse off the root if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub or remove any tissue that’s still attached. Try to put the tooth back in its socket as soon as possible, but be careful not to push it in too far. The sooner you can do this, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

If you can’t put the tooth back in, place it in a small cup of milk or water with a pinch of salt. This will help keep the tooth safe until you can see a dentist. Our Nashville Dentist offers emergency services for knocked-out teeth. We are also open on Saturdays!