Dental emergencies always happen when you least expect them, sometimes in the most ridiculous fashion. While they typically occur because of a sports injury, broken or knocked-out teeth can also occur if you’re riding bikes with the family or even simply turning a corner. They can even happen when chewing on your favorite snack like hard candy or caramel corn. Regardless of the moments leading up to it, you should always know the tips to handling your emergency the moment it happens.
The next time it occurs, remember these tips provided by an emergency dentist in Norman.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Start by locating the tooth and picking it up only by the crown. Avoid touching the pointed end, also known as the root. This could negatively affect your chances of successfully reimplanting the tooth later. Once located, gently rinse the crown without scrubbing it. Make sure you don’t accidentally remove any tissue that’s still attached.
The best way to preserve the tooth is to place it back into the socket the same way it was facing. Place the tooth and gently bite down to hold it in place. If the tooth won’t stay or you’re afraid of accidentally swallowing the tooth, place it in a small container of milk, saltwater, or saline solution. Finally, call your dentist and explain what happened. They will try to schedule you for an appointment the same day for a reimplantation.
Toothaches
When your tooth is throbbing, it could be a sign of decay or an oral infection. After you’ve schedule an appointment with your dentist, you can perform home remedies to provide short-term relief. Start by making a saltwater rinse by mixing ½ teaspoons of table salt and eight ounces of warm water. After rinsing your mouth, floss around the area to confirm no food is caught in between your teeth.
If pain is still present, take an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Then, apply a cold compress to reduce facial swelling if it occurs. Keep in mind these remedies should not replace a visit to your dentist.
Broken or Fractured Teeth
If your tooth is minorly chipped and no pain is present, you can wait a few days before visiting your dentist. Of course, be careful when chewing foods as applying force could worsen the damage.
However, if the tooth is cracked or fractured, you should schedule an appointment right away. This is because it’s likely damage occurred inside the tooth where the pulp and nerves lie.
Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water, followed by applying a cold compress to your cheek. Take acetaminophen to reduce pain and avoid taking aspirin. Aspirin may cause a burning sensation to the affected area if it makes direct contact.
Once you get to the dentist, they’ll perform X-rays and determine which dental restoration you’ll need to protect yourself. Make sure to save any pieces of tooth that you found to show the dentist.
When a dental emergency appears, don’t panic! Instead, follow these steps and schedule an appointment with an emergency dentist right away!
About the Author
When a dental emergency occurs, Dr. Bobby J. Carmen’s first advice for patients is to stay calm. When you visit him to have an emergency treated, you’ll be welcomed with his pleasant and relaxing chairside manner as well as years of experience treating dental emergencies and creating restorations. To learn more about his practice, contact him through his website.