There are certain situations you would clearly like to avoid. One of them is to suffer from a dental emergency. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always dole out what is desired. Thus, at any given moment you could be forced to deal with some form of dental trauma. How should you respond? Your emergency dentist in Spring Hill explains how to deal with 5 common dental emergencies.
What’s Considered a Dental Emergency?
Any sudden downturn in your oral health that causes tooth loss, severe pain or other problems, can be considered a dental emergency. No matter what kind you’re faced with, though, you should do your best to remain calm so you can fully assess the situation. Then, reach out to your emergency dentist to explain your symptoms and schedule a visit.
#1 – What Should I do for a Broken Tooth?
A tooth break can be a painful ordeal. If any of the broken pieces fall out, then place them in a bag and take them when you visit your emergency dentist. Meanwhile, you can rinse with warm, salt-water to remove any bacteria.
#2 – What Can be Done for a Dislodged Tooth?
Blunt force to the face is usually the cause of a tooth suddenly dislodging. If this happens, grab the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water and attempt to re-insert it. If that isn’t possible, then you can soak it in a cup of milk to preserve the root until you can be seen.
#3 – I Have a Toothache – What Should I do?
A toothache is usually brought on by untreated bacteria growth that has reached the more sensitive part of the tooth where the nerve is located. The result can be intense pain that can radiate throughout the jaw.
If this happens, you can take ibuprofen for pain relief, and apply ice to the outside of your jaw in 20-minute increments while you await an appointment with your emergency dentist.
#4 – My Restoration Fell Out – Now What?
A broken or dislodged restoration can leave the sensitive parts of your tooth exposed to food particles and bacteria, which can lead to a serious infection. For temporary relief, you can attempt to replace the fixture using a dollop of toothpaste. You should also avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until your oral health has been restored.
#5 – Can I Fix My Broken Dentures at Home?
If your dentures break, you absolutely shouldn’t attempt a home-repair. Instead, reach out to a staff member at your emergency dentist’s office to schedule a visit to have your mouth and dentures examined.
While you aren’t eager to deal with a dental emergency, you don’t have to give in to it. By having a plan of action and seeking the help of your dentist in Spring Hill, you can soon recover and get back to leading a normal life.
About the Author
A graduate of the Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine in Alton, Dr. Loretta Matic combines her years of experience and a constant drive to expand her knowledge, to provide comprehensive dental care, which includes treating dental emergencies at Family Dental Associates. She can be reached for more information through her website.