The last thing you want to be involved in is a dental emergency, but you never know when one can flare-up. What you do have control over, though, is how well you prepare for one. That’s why your emergency dentist in Lawrenceville has some tips for how to respond to some of the more common dental emergencies, so you can be restored to normal as soon as possible.
What’s Considered a Dental Emergency?
Any situation that causes an abrupt and negative change in your oral health can be considered to be a dental emergency. Here are some of the more common types that people encounter:
- Toothache
- Chipped or Broken Tooth
- Knocked-Out Tooth
The most important thing to do, no matter the emergency, is to stay calm. Then reach out to your emergency dentist immediately to get the expert care you need.
How to Respond to a Toothache
A toothache can be brought on by the buildup of bacteria that has penetrated beneath the gumline and has caused rapid tooth decay. The pain can be moderate-to-acute and can radiate throughout the effected tooth and jaw.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can apply ice to the outside of your jaw to reduce any swelling and take up to 600 mg of ibuprofen to lessen the pain.
What to Do for a Chipped or Broken Tooth
A fall or sudden impact to your mouth can lead to a chipped or broken tooth. When this happens, you may experience mild-to-moderate pain, but it’s still important to reach out to your emergency dentist to be scheduled for a visit.
Meanwhile, you can rinse your mouth to remove any small pieces that may be left behind and apply ice for any related swelling. If your mouth is bleeding, you can also gently bite down on a cotton gauze to stop it. If the bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes, then you should immediately head to your local emergency room.
Do This for a Knocked-Out Tooth
If you’re involved in sports, then there’s always a chance of taking a serious blow to the mouth. If it results in a tooth being knocked-out, then you should definitely contact your emergency dentist.
Meanwhile, you should grab the tooth by the crown and attempt to re-insert it. As best you can, hold the tooth in place by keeping your mouth relatively immobile and avoid chewing on that side.
Sugar is Your Friend?
When it comes to dental care, sugars are normally considered to be the nemeses. But when a tooth is dislodged, they can help tremendously. Thus, it helps to soak a knocked-out tooth in milk because the sugars (lactose) it contains help to preserve the roots of your teeth until it can be permanently re-inserted by your emergency dentist.
Now that you have a game plan for how to deal with some of the more common types of dental emergencies, you can respond effectively and decisively so that you can be restored to normal quickly.
About the Author
For over three decades, Dr. Bruce E. Carter has been providing top-notch care to the Lawrenceville community. The University of Florida College of Dentistry graduate specializes in treating complex dental situations and has undergone extensive training in the same at the prestigious Pankey Institute. Dr. Carter helps patients recover from dental emergencies at Transforming Smiles, and he can be reached for more information through his website.