Would you know what to do if a dental emergency were to occur?
Would you know what to do if a dental emergency were to occur? Dental emergencies can come in various forms. Dental emergencies affect the gums, soft tissue in your mouth, jaw, and teeth. Some dental emergencies can be more pressing than others. With this in mind, the timeliness of your actions matter, especially in the case of a dental injury. The decisions you make (or don’t make) will have a bearing on the outcome of a dental emergency. Today we’re going to detail what to do and how to handle specific dental emergencies.
Dental Emergency #1: A Tooth Being Knocked Out
Dentists across the board would consider a missing tooth to be a situation that requires urgent dental care. After an hour, the chances of saving your natural tooth reduces drastically. For this reason, you must take immediate action. Here are some crucial steps that you should follow if your tooth has come out of the socket or if you can find your missing tooth:
- Contact us ASAP
- Hold the tooth by the crown only (the part you use to chew food)
- If the root has dirt on it, gently rinse the tooth in milk or saline solution such as contact lens solution for a few seconds only – do not use water or scrub.
- If the person is conscious, hold the cleaned tooth by the crown and replace it into its socket using light pressure.
- Hold the tooth in place by getting the person to gently bite on a handkerchief.
- If it cannot be replaced, it would be best if you placed it in a container of milk or saliva. (these are the best ways to preserve it).
- Rinse your mouth out with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to your face, specifically near the affected area
Also, keep in mind that if your natural tooth is not salvageable, dental implants are possible.
Dental Emergency #2: Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Teeth
When a tooth has a small chip, we can fix it with a cosmetic tooth filling or bonding. In regards to larger, cracked, or chipped fractions of a tooth, we rely on dental crowns or veneers as a solution. We can repair any patient’s teeth so that they look natural-looking as if a dental emergency didn’t occur.
Check out our Smile Gallery for examples of veneers, crowns, or bondings used to repair chipped teeth!
Dental Emergency #3: Toothache
Toothaches are not minuscule! Many of us know tooth pain can be debilitating. Ignoring a toothache can lead to severe dental health issues. Often, with toothaches, there is an underlying issue before you even feel the pain. If you’re experiencing trouble eating or drinking and your teeth are extra sensitive, reach out to us ASAP.
Top Signs of Dental Emergencies:
- Swollen mouth or facial area
- An impacted mouth
- Swollen gums/knots
- Loose teeth
- Severe pain (even after taking a pain reliever)
Come to Smile Designs of Olney and Give Dr. Joshua Lomke a Warm Welcome!
With Dr. Joshua Lomke joining our team, we can now genuinely call ourselves a family practice. For your smile makeover or any other dental needs, come to Smile Designs of Olney! Book an appointment with us. Whether you want your teeth whitened, straightened, or restored altogether, we pride ourselves in quality patient care and giving you the smile makeover that you deserve. Our small, professional staff will make you feel right at home. We service the Montgomery County regions including Olney, Laytonsville, Brookville, Silver Spring, Rockville, Columbia, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Germantown, MD. Contact us at (301) 260-0700, visit us online, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.