There are many different types of dental emergencies. Trauma to the mouth, teeth, gums, jaw, or surrounding areas may be considered a true dental emergency that requires immediate action and attention. If you’re experiencing a true dental emergency in the St. Augustine area, here’s what to do:

1. Evaluate the Situation

An urgent dental problem requires treatment as soon as possible, but is different than a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. According to the ADA, “Dental emergencies are potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding [or] alleviate severe pain or infection.” If this accurately describes your situation, you are experiencing a true dental emergency and need to seek help immediately.

2. Call Your Dentist

If you have a dentist that offers emergency dental care, call their emergency line as soon as possible. If you’re in the St. Augustine area and don’t currently have a dentist, call Dental Remedies. Most dentists have an emergency number you can call – but if you’re unable to receive help from a dentist, head to the nearest emergency room for treatment.

3. Stay Calm

It can be incredibly frustrating to be told to stay calm in the middle of any type of emergency, and especially a dental emergency. However, it’s important that you stay as calm as possible – the more you panic, the more your body will trigger responses to stress that may intensify the pain or worsen the situation itself.

4. Take Action to Alleviate Pain

As if you didn’t have enough to handle between determining the extent of the emergency, calling your dentist, and trying to remain calm…then there’s the pain. In the interim between the actual incident and arriving at your dentist or the hospital, here are some things you can do to alleviate the pain:

• Use a cold compress to try and stop the bleeding while reducing swelling
• Take an appropriate amount of over-the-counter pain relievers
• If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, put it in a glass of milk until you arrive at the dentist
• Swish with salt and warm water to reduce swelling

5. Get Moving

Whether you were able to reach your dentist or not, it’s time to get help. Head to your dentist or the nearest emergency room so you can be treated as soon as possible. Remember to bring the tooth if you knocked out a permanent tooth, preferably with it soaking in a glass of milk!

If you’re experiencing a true dental emergency, it can be an extremely traumatic experience. It’s important to remember these five steps and take action immediately if the situation is truly an emergency. Dental emergencies do not only affect the mouth and jaw – if left untreated, severe infections and other oral problems could have detrimental effects on your overall health. If you’re in the St. Augustine area and are experiencing a true dental emergency, call Dental Remedies right away to get the help you need.