What Should You Do During a Dental Emergency?
July 11, 2017
Dental emergencies are common, and if the dentist isn’t available right away, how you handle the situation may determine if you can save the tooth or not. Different emergencies require different actions, and we want you to know how to protect and save your teeth after an accident or injury.
Lost Fillings
If a filling falls out, the exposed area may be sensitive and painful until it is replaced. To protect the tooth, you can use over the counter dental cement or sugarless gum to make a mold over the empty cavity until you can get to a professional.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Any time a piece of a tooth is chipped off, you want to save the portion that fell off and rinse the mouth with warm water. If there is any bleeding, gauze should be applied for at least ten minutes. While applying gauze, also use a cold compress to keep swelling down until you can get to the dentist.
Toothache
A toothache can be caused by a variety of things, from an infection to pieces of food that are stuck in your teeth. If you have a toothache, try flossing to dislodge any food that is stuck between the teeth. If that doesn’t work, swelling and pain can be lessened with a cold compress.
Tooth Knocked Out
If you can find the tooth after it is knocked out, always hold it at the crown rather than the root. Do not scrub the tooth, but rather rinse it with water. You’ll want to make an appointment with an emergency dentist and hold the tooth in its original spot or store it in a cup of milk while you travel.
Abscess
An abscess can be a serious condition and is defined as an infection at the root of the tooth. If you have an abscess, rinse your mouth out with salty, warm water and get to a professional as soon as possible.
Visit Us Immediately
If you have a dental emergency and aren’t sure how to handle it, place a call as quickly as possible to the office of Drs. Altrock and Fabb to get help that may save your teeth.