Health emergencies don’t come announced, and a sudden dental emergency can put you through unbearable pain and suffering. And, ever since COVID-19 engulfed the world, the situation has undergone a significant change. While people are cautious about even stepping out of the house, how does one deal with visiting a dental clinic? However, you must be prepared for such contingencies and be aware of things to do when a dental emergency strikes.

Know what is a dental emergency

Not every dental problem can be an emergency, and some of them can wait till the dental clinics are operational in full swing. But how do you differentiate what is an emergency and what is not? If you suffer from any of the following, then you must get in touch with your dentist immediately:

• Partially or fully knocked-out/broken teeth due to an accident or injury
• Bleeding in cheeks, lips, or gums due to injury of soft tissues, causing lacerations
• Pain and pus formation in between the gums and teeth due to abscess

Contact your dentist immediately

Do not delay in getting in touch with your dentist over the phone if you experience any of the following:

• Gum bleeding
• Swelling in and around the mouth
• Broken tooth
• Excruciating pain in gums

Your dentist will assess the situation based on your explanation and take a call on whether you need to visit the clinic for treatment or can deal with it on your own with first aid. If they feel the issue at hand cannot be taken care of at home or over-the-counter pills, they will direct you to visit an emergency clinic.

Control the bleeding and swelling

In case there’s bleeding in your teeth or gums due to injury or any other issues, try to stop it as soon as possible. You can use a gauze pad or any other remedies as suggested by your dentist. Do not take any medication to stop bleeding unless your dentist has prescribed one.  You can use a cold compress to control any swelling in the mouth or gums due to the injury or bleeding. Ice packs in the affected area can help deal with the crisis initially.

Take precautions measures while visiting the dentist

In case your situation is serious and cannot be taken care of at home, your dentist may ask you to visit for treatment. All dental clinics are operating with strict preventive measures and taking utmost care of patient safety. However, you should also be careful and follow strict COVID-19 protocols such as wearing masks, maintaining distance, washing and sanitizing your hands, etc.