There are a variety of different dental emergencies that you can experience. Sometimes it depends on when the issue arises that makes it an emergency. No matter what the problem is it is important to know what to do during a dental emergency to ensure a successful outcome.
If you’ve ever experienced losing or chipping a tooth or having a crown fall out you know that it can be slightly scary and it is always a good idea to have a game plan.
The first thing to address is how to avoid dental emergencies in the first place.
The obvious one - brush and floss daily
2nd most obvious - don’t skip your cleanings and regular check-ups
If you participate in a sport that requires one (or even some that don’t), use a mouth guard
Don’t bite on hard foods
Don’t use your teeth to open things
Now that we know the basics on how to prevent dental emergencies, here are some examples of emergencies and how to handle them. The first thing you should keep in mind is to have the phone number to your dentist handy. Typically they will have emergency hours available to you or at the very least an emergency number to call for these types of situations.
Toothache:
If you experience a sudden and/or unusual pain, especially sharp pain, call your dentist. If they determine it is not an immediate emergency and you can wait until their next available appointment opening, start the following to help with your pain:
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if possible)
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Apply an ice pack outside of the area causing pain to help keep swelling down
Chipped Tooth:
Also sometimes referred to as a fractured tooth, this can be scary. A chipped tooth doesn’t always hurt so you might not even notice it at first. Luckily this can sometimes be an easy fix, especially if you’re not experiencing pain. Contact your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Crown Or Filling Fall Out:
If your filling falls out contact your dentist to have it repaired. If your crown falls out make sure you find it, after all they can be quite pricey. Once found, wipe the crown clear of any debris and wrap it in a clean cloth and make an appointment to have it fixed.
Knocked Out Tooth:
There are lost of reasons why you could lose a tooth. No matter how it happens there are important steps you need to take if you should suddenly lose a permanent tooth. First, find the tooth! Once found pick it up by the crown not the root. Of course, if you have no choice but to pick it up by the root do what you can not to bother the root area too much. Rinse the tooth with water very gently and try to carefully push the tooth back into the socket. If it is not possible to put the tooth back in, place the tooth in a glass of cow’s milk and call your dentist.
No matter if you have a dental emergency or are just requiring regular dental maintenance, be sure to call our office with whatever your needs may be and we’ll be happy to help!
The information on this Blog is provided for general information, is not intended to provide medical, dental or surgical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. No dentist/patient relationship is established by your use of this Site. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided. The information contained here should be used in consultation with a dentist of your choice. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this Blog.
