Dental emergencies can be incredibly painful and frightening, especially when they happen at night or on the weekend when your dentist is not open. It is important to be able to distinguish the difference between what is an emergency and what is not. A Longmont dental emergency consists of problems like bleeding gums that will not stop, a broken or knocked out tooth, a broken jaw, a painful toothache or swelling. A dull pain, lost crown are examples of what a dental emergency is not.

The best way of dealing with a dental emergency is to obviously go to your dentist, but there are times when he or she is not available. Most good dentists provide their patients with an emergency contact number of another dentist who can help them in case of emergencies, but if you have a problem at night even this alternative may not be available to you. What you should do is visit the emergency room – you will be given temporary care that will take care of the problem until your dentist is available.

There are, however, some things that you can do at home that can help you in case of a dental emergency. The most important is to stay calm – when you panic the body releases chemicals which make pain or bleeding worse. If you have irritation or painful swelling, for example, put a little salt in warm water and use it to rinse your mouth – it will give you temporary relief. Here are other examples:

• If you accidentally knock out a tooth you can save it by putting it in a glass of milk and then heading right over to your dentist’s office with it.

• Sometimes when food is stuck between teeth it can cause pain and swelling. Try flossing to get the food out.

• Pain and irritation can be reduced using an ice pack.

• Keep hydrogen peroxide handy – it is great for dealing with pain and irritation.

The best thing to do is to avoid emergencies altogether if you can. Make sure that you don’t miss dental appointments, and if you feel a problem developing visit your dentist before it becomes an emergency. Make sure that you brush your teeth after means but if you cannot you should rinse with mouthwash. If you eat a sugary snack make sure to rinse your mouth out with water. You should also avoid foods that are hard and chewy especially if you have had root canals done. You should also have your teeth cleaned at least once a year in order to get rid of plaque and food remains that are buried deep between teeth. If you play rough sports you should always wear a mouth guard.

Lastly, having a dentist who has trained staff that can help with dental emergencies can also be a big help. If your dentist is not available his assistant can provide temporary care until you can get a more permanent solution.