Have a Dental Emergency? Here’s What to Do

You’re putting the finishing touches on wrapping your holiday presents and sucking on a candy cane. Since you’re just about done with it, you decide to take a bite. A jolt of pain shoots through your mouth. You spit out a couple of pieces of your tooth! What should you do in situations like these? No matter what, you should first call your emergency dentist in Far North Dallas. Here’s a guide on what else you should do in various dental emergencies.

Dislodged Tooth

For a tooth that has been knocked out, time is of the essence. The most important thing to do, besides calling your dentist, is to keep the tooth moist at all times. The best way to do that is to try and place the tooth back in its socket, using a mirror or the help of a trusted friend or family member. If that’s not possible, hold the tooth in your mouth, in between your cheek and gums. Alternatively, you could store it in a container of milk until you can get to your dentist’s office.

Broken Tooth

Gather up all the pieces of the tooth that you can, since your dentist may be able to reattach them. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away any debris. To keep swelling and pain down, apply a cold compress to the area for ten minutes on, ten minutes off. If you’re bleeding, hold a piece of gauze or cloth to the area until the bleeding stops.

Toothache

First, rinse your mouth and gently floss around the tooth to remove any food that may be caught in the area and causing your pain. If that doesn’t soothe your discomfort, try taking an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. Be sure to only take it as directed on the bottle. You could also hold a cold compress to the appropriate cheek, especially if there is swelling.

Lost Filling or Crown

Find the restoration and rinse it off with warm (not hot) water. If you have any dental cement, denture adhesive, sugar-free chewing gum, or toothpaste handy, apply some to the inside of the crown or filling and place it back on your tooth. It should be noted that this is only a temporary solution, and that you should see your dentist right away for a more permanent reattachment.

Dental emergencies can be scary. That’s why it’s best to be as prepared as possible before they occur. And remember, if one happens, call your dentist first thing!

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry has eleven locations scattered throughout the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex. If you call them with a dental emergency, their skilled team will walk you through basic first aid over the phone, and they will do everything in their power to get you in for an appointment on the same day you call. If you’re currently experiencing a dental emergency, contact Bear Creek Family Dentistry’s Spring Valley location at (972) 490-1600.