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Discover What You Should Do When Faced with a Dental Emergency

December 16, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 4:38 pm
an older man dealing with dental pain

It’s a beautiful day, and you’ve decided to take a bike ride around the lake. While enjoying your scenic view, you hit a rough patch of gravel and suddenly find yourself falling off your bike and hitting the ground. When you go to stand up, you realize a part of your tooth is missing. Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. This is why it’s always best to be prepared when tragedy strikes. While waiting to see your emergency dentist in Round Rock, keep these useful tips in mind should injury occur to your teeth or gums.

Knocked-Out Tooth

When faced with a tooth that has been knocked out, you should first retrieve it by the crown, being careful not to touch the root. Rinse it off and attempt to put it back in its socket. If you are unsuccessful at doing so, place the tooth in a container of milk or next to your cheek inside your mouth. This will help to keep the tooth moist as you make your way to the dentist’s office. It’s important that you see your dentist in Round Rock within an hour of the incident. Otherwise, it might not be possible to save the tooth.

Cracked or Chipped Tooth

For a cracked or chipped tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water to thoroughly clean the area. As you will likely experience some pain or discomfort due to your injury, placed a cold compress against your face to reduce swelling. If possible, place dental wax around the jagged areas of your tooth to prevent further damage to your soft oral tissues.

Soft Tissue Injury

Bite your tongue? Bust your lip? When dealing with a soft tissue laceration, it is best to clean the area thoroughly with water before placing gauze or a piece of chewing gum over the injured area. This will help to stop the bleeding. If swelling occurs, use a cold compress or ice pack to keep inflammation down until you are able to get to your dentist’s office.

Object Stuck Between Teeth

There’s nothing worse than having a piece of food stuck between your teeth. Before attempting to dislodge it, rinse your mouth with warm water to loosen it up. Next, use waxed dental floss and gently move it back and forth until the item is fully removed. If you are unable to dislodge it, make sure you see your dentist as soon as possible. They have the proper tools to effectively remove the object and have you feeling much better.

Toothache

A toothache can be caused by a variety of things ranging from a stuck object between your teeth to severe infection that has reached the innermost layer of your tooth. For toothaches that last 1-2 days, you will need to get in to see your dentist and let them determine the root cause. While at home, rinse your mouth with warm water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever to alleviate any discomfort. Never rub aspirin on your gums or aching tooth, as it can burn and damage your soft tissue.

With the help of these quick tips, you can better prepare yourself the next time a dental accident occurs. Unsure if what you’re experiencing is a real emergency? When in doubt, call your dental team and explain the situation. They will be able to assist in scheduling you an appointment.

About the Author
Dr. Mike Asay knows when a dental emergency happens, you want (and need) immediate help. Trained and equipped to handle all types of oral-related crises, Dr. Asay and his team at Chisholm Trail Dental Health will not only schedule you to come in the same day as your accident, but we will walk you through the steps to handle your situation while at home. To learn more about us and how we can help you through an emergency situation, visit our website or call (512) 244-2796.

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