No one sees a dental emergency coming. Yet, accidents happen, and it’s important to understand what to do when faced with your own emergency. After all, the choices made in the moments following your incident might mean the difference between keeping and losing a tooth.
Dental emergencies involve a wide range of injuries, from a broken or chipped tooth, to an abscess or severe toothache. Mouth Healthy provides helpful guidelines for what to do when the following dental emergencies happen:
Perhaps the most important rule of thumb for a knocked out permanent tooth is to keep it moist. This can be done by gently placing it back into the tooth’s socket, although it’s important not to touch or press down against the root. Another option is to place the tooth in milk or a tooth preservation product that contains the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, if one is available. Next, contact your dentist!
When a tooth becomes chipped or cracked, it’s important to immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to wash away blood and bacteria. To combat any inflammation or swelling, have cold ice packs or compresses ready to apply to the area. As you wait, call your dentist.
When a larger portion of a tooth becomes broken and falls away, individuals may rinse with warm water initially to wash away blood and bacteria. Yet, given the severity of the injury, it may be necessary to apply pressure to the damaged tooth to stop the bleeding. Once bleeding is under control, it’s imperative to contact the dentist, even if pain is minimal. Dentists must check for damage to the tooth’s root, and time is of the essence.
When an abscess forms in the mouth, many individuals wonder if it’s a true dental emergency. After all, they may not experience any pain. Yet, dental professionals urge patients—do not wait. When infection and inflammation is present in the mouth, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream, traveling to other areas of the body.
When an object becomes lodged in the mouth, it’s tempting to grab the sharpest instrument one can find to remove it. Dentists are quick to say—this is not a good idea. When an object becomes stuck, the best way to remove it is by gently flossing the area.
At Grateful Dental, we understand that dental emergencies happen, and that’s why we urge you to call us if you are faced with any of the above-mentioned emergencies, as well as sudden pain or other dental trauma. We are happy to accommodate you and give you the peace of mind you need following your emergency. Call Grateful Dental today.
