How to Effectively Respond to Common Dental Emergencies

If you were to make out a list of experiences you’d like to avoid, some form of dental emergency would likely be included. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to steer clear of a dental emergency, so it’s best to be prepared to respond effectively if one happens. As you read on, your emergency dentist in Wylie provides some expert guidance on what you should do to temporarily stabilize some of the more common types of dental trauma.

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency can be classified as any situation that causes severe pain, oral dysfunction, the loss of a tooth or fixture or profuse bleeding. For any type of trauma, you should first assess the situation and then contact your emergency dentist to request an appointment.

At home, though, there are some steps you can take to start the recovery process. Depending on the particular situation, the approach can differ.

Toothache

To get temporary relief from a painful toothache, you can start by taking ibuprofen, which also helps to reduce inflammation. In addition, you can carefully floss around the pain site to attempt to remove any debris or food that may be lodged.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

In the event of a chipped or broken tooth, gather any pieces that may have dislodged, store them in a plastic bag, and bring them with you when you visit your emergency dentist. Meanwhile, to reduce any swelling and decrease any discomfort, you can take ibuprofen and apply ice in 20-minute intervals.

Knocked-Out Tooth

When a tooth is knocked out, it’s important to be seen by your emergency dentist as soon as possible to have the tooth reattached. Here are some steps to take at home to aid in the process:

• Grab the tooth by the crown (the wider part) and rinse it under cool water.
• Attempt to reinsert the tooth in its rightful place.
• If the tooth can’t be reinserted, store it in a cup of cool water or milk until you can visit your emergency dentist.
• Take ibuprofen and apply ice to reduce any inflammation and to lessen the pain sensations.  

Lost Filling/Crown

The primary purpose of a filling or crown is to restore a damaged or badly worn tooth. When one of these fixtures is lost, then, the more sensitive parts of the tooth are left vulnerable to bacteria infiltration. The result can be a painful infection. Therefore, it’s imperative to take immediate action if a filling or crown dislodges.

For temporary relief, you can apply a small amount of dental adhesive or dental cement so the fixture can adhere until you can be seen by your emergency dentist. If this isn’t possible, then you should avoid any activity on that side of your mouth until your oral health is restored.

Now that you have a plan of action to respond to some of the more common types of dental emergencies, there is no need to panic if one occurs. By taking action and then receiving the expert care of your emergency dentist, you can overcome any pain and dysfunction and have your oral health restored to normal.

About the Author

Dr. Roger Morton earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Since then, he has remained committed to providing well-rounded care to his patients, which includes treatments for dental trauma. Dr. Morton restores oral health to normal at Wylie Family Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.