Discovering you have broken your tooth is disastrous. Perhaps you were enjoying your favourite food when you felt something going wrong. Maybe you were playing sports, and there was an accident. No matter what has happened, a broken tooth can feel like you have ruined your smile. The key is getting dental treatment, which can help resolve the broken tooth.
But is a broken tooth classed as a dental emergency? Many people know that it is an emergency for them and want a solution as soon as possible. However, they are not sure whether this merits an emergency trip to the dentist or whether it can wait for an ordinary appointment. Here is a guide to figuring out what you should do.
Should I Book an Emergency Dental Appointment?
The rule to follow is that simple tooth cracks or breaks do not always merit an emergency dental appointment. Instead, you can book an ordinary one, but you should do this as soon as possible. This is particularly true if you feel self-conscious about the damage.
But, there are some situations where a broken tooth will be a dental emergency. Here is when you need to take action.
When there is Significant Damage
The extent of the damage to the tooth will play a part in whether it is an emergency. For example, a tooth with a chip will not require an immediate appointment. You are going to be in no pain or distress, and it is something that is easily remedied. While you want to arrange an appointment with your dentist straight away, it will not require an emergency appointment.
On the other hand, major damage to the tooth is an emergency. This is when there is a big break and there might be a range of other symptoms, which we will discuss. You can head to https://www.smilecliniq.com/emergency-dentist-london.php if you want to book an emergency appointment with an experienced dentist. Smile Cliniq makes it easy to arrange an appointment, which can put your mind at ease. Plus, you can get the treatment you need.
You Are in A lot of Pain
You are going to know you need an emergency appointment when you are in significant pain. You might find that it is so intense that you cannot eat or even relax. There is no point in suffering. Instead, make sure that you get a dentist’s appointment. They will be able to assess the damage and offer pain relief.
Sometimes, if you are in minimal discomfort, you can take pain-relieving medications you have at home. There are also some numbing gels you can buy in the stores. If you feel like the pain is dull and not going to bother you too much, you can take some pain relief until you get an ordinary dentist appointment. You have to assess for yourself whether the pain is manageable or not. Again, make sure that you do not suffer.
The Tooth is Sharp
If a part of the tooth breaks off, it can mean that the remaining piece of the tooth is jagged in sharp. If this is the case, you should seek an emergency appointment. You do not want to put yourself in danger from this sharp tooth. For example, it could hurt your tongue or become dangerous when eating. This needs to be seen as soon as possible by an expert. They can ensure that something is done to prevent you from hurting yourself.
Therefore, assess how sharp your tooth is. You should make an emergency appointment if it is jagged and could become a problem. If the remaining part is blunt and not that sharp, you can wait for an ordinary appointment. Just make sure you get an appointment immediately in case you have to wait a few weeks.
There is a lot of Blood
Have you been in an accident and injured yourself, discovering a lot of blood in your mouth? This can be a very scary situation. It can be even worse when you discover you have broken a tooth. You can be in shock and worried about all of the bleeding. If you find that there is a lot and it is not stopping any time soon, this is when you should make an emergency appointment. A dentist is able to see the situation and find the best solution to stop the blood and manage the pain.
Know that the sooner you see the dentist, the better the outcome. It can give you peace of mind. Blood is always going to be scary, and you can be worried when you have been in an accident. So, seeing a dentist as soon as possible will ensure you do everything possible to recover. Indeed, you can stop the bleeding, which can calm you down too.
