Riding bikes around the neighborhood or playing sports with family members are both great ways to enjoy the upcoming warm weather. Of course, sometimes we don’t always take the right precautions to prevent a dental emergency from occurring. Next thing you know, you’re in the backseat of a friend’s car on your way to the emergency room, clutching your mouth.
If you don’t experience any of the following situations, you’re better off visiting your dentist during regular business hours. However, if you or your friends don’t know how to handle any of the following dental emergencies, your dentist can help. Here’s what you should do.
Losing or Breaking a Tooth
The first step should be to call your dentist right away. After you’ve schedule an appointment, ideally for the same day of the incident, locate the tooth. Do not touch the root (bottom) of the tooth. Only touch it by the crown (top) to avoid accidentally removing any tissue. This is needed to improve your chances of reimplantation.
Rinse the tooth, rinse your mouth out with warm water, and attempt to place the tooth back into the socket. This will keep it preserved until you get to the dentist. If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in milk, saltwater, or saliva to preserve it for up to an hour.
You Have a Severe Toothache
Use warm salt water to clean the area associated with the pain. Use waxed dental floss around the tooth to ensure there isn’t anything stuck in between your teeth. In some cases, chronic tooth pain is a sign that bacteria have reached the inner tooth, requiring a root canal. It also could be due to an abscess underneath the root.
If the pain does not go away, even after you’ve flossed the area, contact your emergency dentist right away to schedule an appointment.
You’ve Broken or Lost a Restoration
The moment you realize the crown is loose or broken, start by removing the crown. If the crown has broken apart, you’ll likely need to have the entire crown replaced. However, if the crown is whole, check your existing tooth to confirm no natural tooth broke off with it. Then, contact your dentist to schedule an appointment and inform them of your condition.
If the crown is hollow and no natural tooth broke off with it, purchase temporary dental cement at your local drugstore to stick it back onto your tooth temporarily. Before applying, make sure to clean the area around the tooth as well as the crown itself. Place it gently back onto the socket and avoid applying unnecessary pressure to that side of your mouth until your next visit.
Are you currently experiencing a dental emergency? Don’t hesitate to contact your emergency dentist and save your tooth today!
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Mitchell earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma because he believes being a dentist is the best job in the world. Being able to help people change their lives through dentistry means a great deal to him, so you can expect the best care possible when you arrive. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, contact him at (405) 755-2670 or visit his website.
