Dental trauma can occur anytime, leaving you in unbearable pain and uncertain of what to do. The need for immediate attention is more urgent if it’s due to a knocked-out tooth, a broken crown, or severe damage to your gums.
The first step to minimize long-term damage is to calm down and act quickly. Failure to treat it early can cause more serious problems or can lead to permanent loss of the tooth.
The sooner help is sought from a professional, the better the chances of saving your tooth and avoiding further problems will be. Knowing that emergency oral surgery might be needed in these situations means you can be ready for the unforeseen and begin doing what you must when it is imperative.
Let’s discuss how you can handle dental trauma requiring emergency oral surgery.
1. Seek Immediate Professional Help
Seek immediate professional help when you experience dental trauma. If a tooth is knocked out, timing is everything. The sooner you can reach your oral surgeon or emergency dental clinic, the better your chances of being able to save the tooth.
Ideally, you should meet the dental professional within 30 to 60 minutes. A delayed treatment can decrease the chances of a re-implantation. If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, it’s always safer to be prepared and get immediate care.
Sometimes, emergency oral surgery may be needed to treat the injury properly and to ensure the best possible recovery. Such situations can be handled by dentists and oral surgeons after determining the extent of the injury.
This can save the tooth and prevent additional problems like infection or damage to other structures, making your recovery smoother.
2. Preserve the Tooth (If Knocked Out)
If your tooth does get knocked out, it’s important to take care of it until you can see a dentist. Hold the tooth by the crown (top part) and try not to touch the root, which can harm delicate tissue.
In case the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently under running water. Do not use soap or scrubs, as this may damage the root. Try to reinsert the tooth back into its socket as soon as possible. Keep it in place by biting down gently on a clean cloth or gauze.
However, if re-insertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container of either milk, saline solution, or your own saliva. These are the liquids that help preserve the cells on the tooth’s root, which is necessary for successful re-implantation.
Do not store the tooth in water because it can break down the root cells. The more quickly the tooth can be seen by a dentist, the greater the chance that it can be saved.
3. Control Bleeding and Swelling
Right after having dental trauma, you must control bleeding and swelling. Pressing gently on the affected area with a clean gauze or cloth will help stop the bleeding. Keep pressure if necessary by biting down softly.
Seek immediate professional help if bleeding does not stop within 10–15 minutes. It’s equally important to manage swelling and to control bleeding. You can wrap an ice pack or put a cold compress on the outside of your face near where you injured yourself.
Use it for 15-20 minutes at once, with 20-minute breaks in between. It will help reduce swelling and numb the pain. Do not use ice over the skin directly, as it may cause frostbite.
Also, keeping your head elevated will help with swelling. Doing this will help control discomfort and prevent the worsening of the situation until you are able to get professional treatment.
4. Pain Management
Pain management is vital after dental injury so you can remain comfortable while seeking emergency care. Seeking professional care as soon as the pain becomes severe or does not subside is essential.
Feel free to also try natural remedies such as rinsing your mouth using warm salt water to help ease the pain and swelling. It is best if you avoid eating hard or chewy foods that may further irritate the damaged area and bring more pain.
It is essential to manage pain at home, but it is equally important to seek timely treatment to address the root cause of the pain and injury at a dentist or oral surgeon.
5. Follow Post-Surgery Instructions Carefully
Following post-surgery instructions is especially important after having emergency oral surgery and helping to prevent complications. Your oral surgeon or dentist will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent the risk of infection, and you should take them even if you begin to feel better.
Ensure you do not touch the surgical area with your fingers or tongue to avoid disturbing it. You should also avoid drinking through straws or eating hard, crunchy or chewy foods, which could interfere with healing.
Moreover, oral hygiene is essential, but be careful around the surgical area — brush your teeth cautiously and rinse your mouth with saltwater solution as recommended to prevent infection.
Your body will heal faster if you rest and avoid strenuous activities. Don’t skip your follow-up appointments, as this gives your dentist the opportunity to monitor your recovery and any potential problems that occur.
Conclusion
It is essential to handle dental trauma quickly and effectively so that your smile and overall oral health can be preserved.
Taking steps like seeking immediate professional help, properly preserving the knocked-out tooth, controlling bleeding and swelling, managing pain, and following post-surgery instructions will give you a chance to recover successfully.
The sooner you take action, the better the outcome. You don’t have to wait to reach out for professional care. Taking quick steps will help you heal as quickly as possible and reduce eventual complications. It’s worth it for your dental health!
