You’re enjoying one of your favorite movies and eating popcorn when, suddenly, you feel a tooth break and a painful sensation. It appears you have a dental emergency, and you need fast relief. What can be done about it, though? Read on as your emergency dentist in River Oaks gives some helpful tips for stabilizing this and other common types of dental trauma.
For any Dental Emergency, Do This
No matter what type of dental emergency you may find yourself in, these are the first two things you should do:
- Assess the situation – Whether a tooth has been knocked out, or you’re experiencing acute pain from an infection, it’s natural to feel some anxiety. So you can make the best decisions moving forward, take a deep breath and calmly assess the situation.
- Contact your emergency dentist – The next step is to reach out to a staff member at your emergency dentist’s office to explain what has happen. At this time, you can also schedule an emergency appointment.
For the more acute forms of trauma, like profuse bleeding that lasts more than 10 minutes or severe jaw pain, you should immediately head to the emergency room.
What to Do for A Broken Tooth
If you suffer a cracked or broken tooth, you should first gather any loose pieces and place them in a Ziploc bag. Then, rinse your mouth with salt-water to prevent any new bacteria growth.
For any discomfort or swelling, you can take ibuprofen and apply ice to the outside of your jaw.
Responding to a Dislodged Tooth
One of the more common contributors to a knocked-out tooth is direct impact to the face. If this happens, grab the tooth by the wide portion, called the crown, and carefully attempt to reinsert it. In the event you’re unsuccessful, you can place the tooth in a cup of water or milk until you can be seen by your emergency dentist.
Addressing a Toothache
Prolonged bacteria growth can contribute to a painful toothache. The discomfort comes from the bacteria seeping into the sensitive parts of the tooth and causing an infection.
Until you can be examined by your emergency dentist, you can take ibuprofen to decrease the pain, and you can apply ice to your jaw to address any swelling.
Solutions for a Damaged Restoration
If you’ve undergone root canal therapy, or you’ve received a cavity filling, the sensitive inner area of the tooth relies on the restoration for protection from bacteria, food particles or any other intruders.
Therefore, if the restoration breaks or falls out, it’s a serious matter. As a temporary remedy, you can attempt to reinsert the fixture using a tiny dollop of toothpaste or dental wax.
Dealing with a dental emergency is no one’s idea of a fun day, but by keeping these tips in mind, you can take effective action. Then, with the expert care of your dentist in River Oaks, you can have your oral health restored.
About the Author
Dr. Jonathon H. Krell is a graduate of the University of Texas, and for over 30 years, he has been providing the utmost in dental care. From his state-of the-art facility, he treats dental emergencies and helps his patients achieve oral health excellence. Dr. Krell can be reached for more information through his website.