Every Saturday you meet up with your friends for the local adult softball league. During the game, the ball flung straight at your mouth and before you know it, your tooth falls onto the ground into the grass. With blood dripping down your lips, you never considered that a dental emergency could happen to you. Unsure of what to do, you quickly gather up your knocked-out tooth and hop in the car to visit your emergency dentist in Keller. Knowing how to react during an emergency can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. Read on to learn about the most common dental emergencies and how to prevent them.
Common Dental Emergencies
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort that’s affecting your day-to-day life, you may need to schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist. The sooner you call, the more likely your dentist will be able to prevent future oral health issues. Some of the most common emergencies include:
- Broken or chipped tooth
- Damaged dental restoration
- Knocked-out tooth
- Cracked or broken dentures
- Sharp and severe toothache
If you’re experiencing more severe injuries or pain, you may need to visit your local ER instead. Handling dental emergencies in a timely manner is the key to preserving your smile and oral health.
Caring for Your Mouth During an Emergency
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, you should immediately contact your dentist. In the meantime, you can avoid additional damage to your mouth by doing the following:
- If you’ve knocked out broken a tooth or restoration, preserve it by keeping it moist. Rinse your mouth out with cool water and place the tooth back in the socket. If you’re not able to do this, try storing it between your cheek and gums or in milk to preserve it. While attempting to do this, only touch the biting surface of the tooth, not the root.
- For a broken or bent denture, store it in water or denture cleaner and call your dentist. If you’re experiencing discomfort or oral tissue damage, reduce the swelling and stop the bleeding by applying pressure or an ice pack to the area.
- A severe toothache that affects your day-to-day life can be the result of several serious problems. While making your way to your emergency dentist, try to avoid chewing with the portion of your mouth that’s in pain and take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease your discomfort.
Preventing Oral Emergencies
Visiting your dentist for semi-annual checkups and cleanings can help keep the little problems from turning into large ones. Keeping up with your daily hygiene routine can also help ward off oral issues like infections, dental decay, and cavities that could turn into emergencies.
While you can’t completely avoid emergencies and accidents, there are certain steps you could take to avoid experiencing them. Knowing how to handle them can make the situation less stressful and allow you to respond efficiently and effectively. Save your smile by preparing yourself for the unexpected!
About the Author
Dr. Sheri McIntosh, emergency dentist, takes pride in providing patient-focused care at her dental practice. She created a warm and welcoming environment so everyone that walks through her practice doors feels comfortable and in good hands. She cares for her patients using the most modern treatments and advanced dental technology, all while focusing on building life-long doctor-patient relationships. For any questions or to schedule an emergency appointment, visit Distinguished Dental’s online form or contact 817-337-8300.