We can’t prepare for emergencies, but life would be a lot easier if we could. Dental emergencies can be especially scary, as many people aren’t educated in the steps to take immediately following something like a knocked-out or broken tooth. Keep these steps from your Los Fresnos dentist in mind and become one of the few who know how to react in a dental emergency. Your teeth and your smile will be so glad you did.
Remain Calm and Act Fast in a Dental Emergency
Whether it’s a broken tooth on the jungle gym or something a little more traumatic, the steps you take immediately after a dental injury can help you preserve your natural tooth. Know what to do for the three most common dental emergencies.
What to do for a knocked-out tooth
Knocked-out teeth can occur for a number of reason — rough recreational sports or accidents while bicycling being among the top. If you’re dealing with a tooth that’s been knocked out, be sure to call your dentist as soon as possible. Seeking treatment immediately can make all the difference when it comes to saving your natural tooth.
In the meantime, handle the tooth very carefully, being sure to touch the tooth by its base — the part you see when you smile — and not its root. Rinse the tooth off with water to remove any debris, and store it in the cheek. If that’s not a possibility, wrap the tooth in gauze and keep it in a glass of milk or contact solution until you can see the dentist.
Emergency care for a chipped or fractured tooth
In the case of a chipped or fractured tooth, first rinse it out with warm water and apply an ice pack to reduce any swelling. Tylenol can help you manage the pain until you see a dentist, but avoid blood-thinning Aspirin. You should also avoid placing a pain medication directly to the tooth or gum — that can cause burns.
How to deal with a tooth that’s been pushed out of place
This emergency happens more often than you’d probably expect — rough play or unexpected falls can result in a tooth that’s pushed out of place. If it happens to you or a loved one, call your Los Fresnos doctor immediately and then apply very light pressure to the tooth, being extra careful not to try to force it into place.
Two Steps To Take In Any Dental Emergency
Other reasons you may call your dentist with an emergency include a severe toothache, an abscessed tooth or a severe laceration to the soft tissues of the mouth. Keep in mind that any dental emergency you’ll encounter requires two things: for you to remain calm, as panicking will only exacerbate the situation, and to call your Los Fresnos dentist as soon as possible. We’ll work to get you in to see the doctor quickly — because we don’t want to keep you waiting with a dental emergency.
