As you prepare for the holiday festivities, the last thing you want to deal with is a dental emergency, but that can’t prevent one from occurring. Instead of simply hoping that dental trauma doesn’t happen, your emergency dentist in Wylie says it’s best to have a plan for how to deal with some of the more common types. Read on to learn what you should do.
A DISLODGED TOOTH
A sudden blow to the face or a bad fall can result in a lost tooth. If you find yourself in such a situation, the first thing you should do is grab the tooth by the crown, the wider portion. You can then try to return it to its correct spot. If that isn’t possible, then you can place the tooth in a cup of milk to preserve its roots. It’s imperative, though, to contact your dentist immediately, as there is roughly a six-hour window to successfully replace the tooth.
A SEVERE TOOTHACHE
Usually, you’ll have warning signs of advanced decay. However, if ignored, the problem only gets worse. As a result, you can find yourself with a severe toothache. Here are some of the steps you can take to temporarily stabilize the situation:
- Apply ice to the outside of your face to reduce any swelling.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to lessen the discomfort.
- Carefully floss around the area to remove any food particles that may be contributing to your pain.
A CUT TO THE MOUTH
Your teeth aren’t the only aspect of your oral health that can be impacted by a dental emergency. The soft tissue, which includes the tongue, lips, cheeks, and gums can also be injured if there is trauma to the mouth. One effective strategy is to bite down on a cotton swab to stop the bleeding by causing your blood to clot. If your efforts aren’t successful and the bleeding continues for more than 10 minutes, then you should head to the emergency room.
A CRACKED OR BROKEN TOOTH
If you have a cracked or broken tooth, you can experience noticeable discomfort. The first step for restoration is to gently bite down on the tooth to keep it in place. If some of the tooth’s material has fallen out of your mouth, then gather the broken pieces in a plastic bag and give them to your dentist when you visit.
INTENSE PAIN IN THE JAW
Blunt force to the face or a fall can cause injury to the jaw. If this happens and you experience severe pain in that area, then you should visit the emergency room for immediate care. Of course, you would like to prevent dental emergencies from ever happening, but by having a plan of how to effectively respond, and working with your dentist in Wylie, you can have a speedier recovery.
About the Author
Dr. Fesaha Gebrehiwot is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, Washington, and since then, he has remained dedicated to a lifelong learning process. Thus, he takes continuing education courses throughout the year to stay abreast of the latest breakthroughs in technology and dental procedures. Dr. Gebrehiwot helps patients overcome dental emergencies at Trusted Dental Care, and he can be reached for more information through his website.