Some dental concerns may require urgent attention, whereas others may be less pressing. Home remedies can be an effective method to help treat your problem, but it’s essential to understand when emergency dental care is needed.
When is emergency dental care needed?
There are several signs to look out for that indicate whether you need emergency dental care. When you have an issue with your teeth, especially in the instance of an infection, it’s unlikely it will go away on its own and is often a sign of a larger concern. If left untreated, delaying expert dental care can worsen the issue and become more serious.
To decide whether the best course of action is to get emergency dental care or rely on home remedies until your next checkup, you must first assess your symptoms to determine the severity of the situation.
If you’re experiencing any of the below signs, they indicate you require immediate attention and should book an emergency dental care appointment to help you.
- Facial swelling
- Associated vision loss and nausea
- Broken teeth or a lost crown
- An irregular amount of mouth ulcers
- Excessive blood loss from the gums
- Severe and ongoing Toothache
If you’re unsure whether or not your dental concern is something that needs professional care, get in touch. Our expert dentists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure that your emergency dental care needs are met quickly and safely.
When to use at home dental remedies
At-home dental remedies should be used in instances where your toothaches or dental issues are not so severe that you can’t resume regular activity. These home treatments should help to relieve your pain, reduce swelling and ease other symptoms.
Some of the most effective ways to help aches and common dental issues are:
- Saltwater rinse – Salt is a natural disinfectant making it excellent at killing bacteria that may be causing irritation.
- A cold compress or ice pack – Ideal for helping to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Numbing gel – This can help soothe toothaches and pains.
- Pain medication (ibuprofen/paracetamol) – An effective pain relief and inflammation reduction method. Follow the recommended guidelines for the correct dosage to ensure you are being safe.
With the above being said, you should know that home remedies aren’t purely for curing the issue and should never be a substitute for professional emergency dental care. They are an excellent method of helping to relieve the discomfort of your dental problems while you wait for your appointment.
Emerging wisdom teeth is a great example of a dental issue that a dentist cannot help until it has broken through the gums. In this case, your best option is to use home treatments to help relieve the discomfort until then.
The best thing you can do at home for your dental health is practice good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, using mouthwash to reduce oral bacteria, and ensuring you get your general dental check-up twice a year.
Your diet also has a big impact on your teeth’s well-being. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water helps flush out bacteria from the teeth and gums. This is especially important if you consume a lot of sugary food and drinks as they often get stuck, promoting bacteria growth. Sugary foods should be avoided if possible to maintain good oral health.
For more information on general dentistry, visit the Smilemakers Dental Practice in Southampton. Don’t worry if you’re not based in the Hampshire area, we have emergency dental practices across the UK – find your nearest clinic to book your appointment.
How to book an emergency dentist appointment
While these home remedies should help you in the meantime, they should only be used as temporary solutions until you can book an emergency dentist appointment to get the help you need.
With emergency dental clinics based throughout the UK, we can provide immediate care for all dental issues. Give us a call on 03301 759995 to ensure that your emergency dental needs are met quickly and safely. Even our virtual dentists can prescribe antibiotics for you to pick up from your local pharmacy immediately.