Tooth Trouble? Your Emergency Dentist Helps You Handle the Situation

You brush and floss your teeth regularly, so you don’t have to worry about your oral health, right? Well, not exactly. A dental emergency can strike anyone at any time, even if you’re the most diligent person in the world when it comes to oral hygiene. It’s important to be aware of the possibility of sudden tooth trouble and to be prepared to handle the situation when it occurs. Your emergency dentist is here to give you a few tips to help you make the best out of even the worst dental disasters.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

When something happens to one of your teeth, you may be in a significant amount of pain. Don’t let that stop you from thinking clearly! It’s important to stay calm so you can assess the situation and determine if you are facing a true dental emergency. Here are a few examples of circumstances that require prompt professional attention:

• You had a tooth forcibly knocked out of your mouth
• One of your teeth got knocked loose
• A crown or other restoration broke or fell out
• A tooth got cracked, chipped, or broken
• You have a severe toothache but don’t know what’s causing it
• You have a dental abscess

Reach Out to Your Dentist

Whatever you do, please don’t minimize your problem or hope that it goes away on its own. As soon as something happens to one of your teeth, call your dentist. Describe exactly what happened and how you’re feeling. Your dentist is likely to tell you one of three things:

• You need to come into the office right away for treatment. If you lost a tooth or a restoration, bring it with you; your dentist may be able to reattach it. In cases where you lost a tooth, be sure to handle it carefully (only touch it by the top part) and keep it moist in a glass of milk or in your mouth.
• You should be able to wait a few days before you come in for an appointment. In the meantime, be very gentle with the area that is hurting and take a few mild painkillers to manage your discomfort. Depending on the situation, your dentist may give you other specific recommendations on how to care for yourself at home.
• You should head to the local emergency room instead of the dentist’s office. This may be the case if you suffered a jaw injury or are experiencing extensive bleeding or soft tissue damage. Going to the emergency room is also an option if for some reason you cannot reach your dentist.

The way you handle a dental emergency can determine your smile’s future! If one of your tooth is in sudden agony, please use the above tips to manage the situation and protect your oral health.

About Us

The two doctors at Stec Cosmetic and Family Dentistry understand the pain and uncertainty that come with a dental emergency, so they’re always willing to help out in such situations. If you ever need immediate professional dental attention, please contact us at 308-382-4440.