Dental emergencies are hard to plan for because they can happen out of nowhere, which is why it’s called an emergency. Whether you crack your tooth on a hard piece of candy or your son got his tooth knocked out playing football, there are steps you can take to make the best of the situation and minimize the damage caused. Read below to learn how to avoid dental emergencies and what you should do if a dental disaster strikes from your emergency dentist in Grand Prairie.
No one wants to think about unexpected injuries or what to do if you have one, but it’s important you’re prepared in the event of a dental emergency. Check out some tips below on how to deal with some of the more common dental emergencies:
What Should I Do if I Lose a Tooth?
Adults usually lose their teeth because of a physical or traumatic accident. If your tooth gets knocked out, try to pick it up by the crown to keep your tooth’s root as clean and healthy as possible to avoid future infections.
Keep the tooth moist and in a safe place and then find the nearest dentist to you. If you can keep your tooth clean and moist, there’s a better chance your dentist will be able to place the tooth back in your gums.
What Should I Do if My Tooth is Chipped or Cracked?
Sometimes chips and cracks can lead to horrible pain because deeper cracks will leave sensitive nerve endings exposed. Use warm water that is constantly replaced to rinse out your mouth to help with the pain and clean out the affected area.
If there’s blood, use gauze to apply gentle pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. Additionally, use cold packs on the outside of your face to reduce swelling and take over-the-counter pain medicine to help get more comfortable. Once you’ve stopped the bleeding and aren’t in excruciating pain, contact your dentist as soon as possible.
What Should I Do if My Toothache Won’t Go Away?
First, rinse your mouth out with warm salt water to keep bacteria in the mouth at bay and to soothe your tooth. You should floss around the aching spot to make sure all food debris is removed as this can sometimes be the cause of a toothache.
If your pain was being caused by something in between your teeth, you’ll be able to make yourself feel better just by removing the food that’s stuck. If your pain doesn’t subside, use a cold pack to reduce swelling in the face and talk to your local dentist.
If dental disaster strikes, don’t panic! Use our tips to relax and make yourself feel better. You should immediately contact your dentist for help because if these emergencies aren’t taken care of, they can get much worse in the future.