Emergency department visits for dental conditions in the U.S. continue to rise, with dental visits costing the U.S. health care system $1.6 billion in 2012.

The staggering numbers show that the need for emergency dental services is on the rise. While many emergencies can be avoided with proper dental care, it’s still beneficial to understand what types of accidents require a trip to the emergency room.

We’ll be discussing what types of accidents require emergency services, what to do should they occur, and most importantly, how to avoid them in the future. You can save yourself some serious pain and money by following these simple tips.

If you need emergency dental services, you’re in for a painful (and unpleasant) experience. Here’s what to do and how to avoid common dental accidents. Read on to learn more.

1. Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth may not seem serious, but it’s a common accident that requires emergency dental services.

The reason that a knocked out tooth requires such fast action is because you need to reattach the tooth within one hour if you want it to survive. There’s no need to panic if your tooth is completely dislocated. At least 85 percent of teeth that are put back in the tooth socket within five minutes survive.

Dentists recommend that you reattach the tooth within one hour to increase its chance of survival. The first thing you should do is call a dentist and schedule an emergency appointment right away.

Next, you should clean off the tooth and keep it moist. It’s extremely important to be careful when dealing with a dislocated tooth. Teeth that are touched by the root (or the “pointy part”) can suffer from damaged cells, which makes it more difficult to reattach.

Grab the tooth by the crown and rinse it off in some water to remove dirt and debris. Avoid scrubbing the tooth. Dislocated teeth suffer from periodontal ligament tissue tears and scrubbing can cause additional tissue damage.

Once it’s clean, place the tooth back in your mouth to keep it wet. You can also store it in contact solution to keep it fresh until you reach the dentist.

2. Tooth Fracture

A tooth fracture is another type of accident that requires emergency dental care.

Teeth fractures are common and can result in cracked, broken or even chipped teeth. These accidents can be caused by a number of reasons, such as a hard impact to the tooth or poor oral health.

Tooth fractures can range from a seemingly painless minor chip to a painful fracture that causes severe tissue damage. They require emergency dental services no matter the severity.

After you call your dentist, you should rinse your mouth with warm water to reduce the swelling. You should also put an ice pack up to the impacted area to limit additional swelling. If you’re experiencing pain, take some ibuprofen and follow the instructions to make sure you are taking the proper dosage.

3. Filling Falls Out

What happens when you lose a filling?

The affected area will be exposed to air and pressure. While that may not sound like a big deal, the tissue will be hypersensitive to its environment. This can cause a tremendous amount of pain to you.

You should call emergency dental services right away should you notice a lost filling. In the meantime, a great way to seal the exposed area is to use dental cement.

Dental cement can be purchased over the counter at any drugstore. If you find the missing filling, put it back in place and apply the cement to keep the filling secure.

If you can’t find your filling, try applying clove oil to the impacted area. Use a cotton swab to apply it to your tooth to help alleviate the pain.

It’s critical that you call your dentist right away because teeth can move after a crown falls out. This can make it even more difficult to fix the filling.

4. Abscess

The previous accidents are easy to recognize. Abscesses may be much more difficult to diagnose.

Abscesses occur when bacteria build up inside your mouth. It can cause a painful swelling that fills with pus.

While a cracked or missing tooth is easy to recognize, many people don’t know how to recognize the warning signs of an abscess. As a result, the infection can linger for several months or years if left untreated. This can be extremely harmful to your teeth and tissue.

If you suspect an abscess call your dentist immediately. In the meantime, you can deal with the abscess by rinsing your mouth with a mixture of salt and water. Aim to make a concoction of 8 ounces of water and a half teaspoon of table salt.

Do this a couple times per day until the pus is ready to burst. Once the pus bursts, there will be less pressure and pain.

5. Mouth Tissue Laceration

A mouth tissue injury can be very serious. These occur when cuts and lacerations occur inside the mouth. Tissue damage can occur inside your lips, cheeks, or even on the tongue.

There will be a significant amount of blood. In order to clean the wound, you should rinse the mouth with warm water. You can also prevent further blood loss by applying pressure to the afflicted area.

You should always consult emergency dental services when dealing with a mouth tissue laceration.

Avoiding Emergency Dental Services

Dental emergencies may be on the rise, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be avoided.

By taking extra oral care, you can help prevent your chances of a trip to the emergency room. Brush your teeth and floss regularly and see your dentist at least twice per year for good oral health.

Many of these injuries occur due to high-impact activities. You can prevent dental accidents by taking precautions like wearing a mouthguard during physical activity. You should also stay away from hard foods if your teeth are extra sensitive.

Remember, dental accidents are much more painful than a trip to the dentist and having proper oral care.

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