If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, the most important thing is to remain calm! We, at Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics, are here to help. Be sure to closely adhere to the following instructions to protect your oral health.
Lost Tooth
If you’ve had your tooth knocked out, there are a few critical steps you need to take to salvage the tooth. First, if at all possible, you’ll need to retrieve the lost tooth. Pick it up by the crown—the white part you typically see when you smile—and gently rinse off the tooth with water if necessary. Try to handle the tooth as little as possible, and be sure not to scrub or remove fragments from it. Then, try to reinsert the tooth back into the socket (if it is possible to do so) before heading to the dentist. If this isn’t possible, store the tooth in a container of milk or your saliva while traveling to our offices. Do not keep the tooth in water. Make your way to the dentist with the tooth within an hour for the best possible chance of restoring it back into its place.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
If you’re experiencing pain after breaking a tooth, this could mean that you’ve broken completely through the dental enamel layer and reached the dentin, which provides access to the nerve. It could also mean that you’ve broken all the way to the pulp, which would cause it to bleed slightly. If you don’t see damage but still experience pain, this could signify that your tooth is broken beneath the gum line. In any of these cases, it is important to call the dentist straight away. While you wait for your appointment, you can rinse out your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to your cheek outside of the damage site to reduce swelling.
Lost Filling or Crown
If you’ve dislodged a filling or crown, do not try to restore it yourself. Especially do not use glue or temporary adhesives to do so. Not only could this damage the restoration, but it also could harm your tooth. The best thing you can do in these circumstances is to place an ice pack on your cheek at the site of the restoration to help with pain and swelling. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication as directed to manage pain symptoms. Then, call our office to schedule a time to fix the restoration.
Broken Jaw
If you’ve broken your jaw, you will typically experience pain and swelling in the area. You will also likely struggle to close your jaw or properly align your upper and lower teeth. In this circumstance, it is important to seek medical care immediately, as this injury can block your airways and cause bleeding. As you await medical attention, provide support and stability to the jaw to open the airway. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help to ease pain and discomfort while you seek treatment.
Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics immediately to discuss your visit.