Dental emergencies can occur at any time and, more often than not, when you least expect them. Knowing how to respond to a sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or an accident to the mouth can make a huge difference in keeping your dental health and minimizing pain and discomfort.
Common Dental Emergencies: Toothache, Chipped or Broken Tooth, Knocked-Out Tooth, Lost or Loose Dental Crown, and Severe Bleeding or Soft Tissue Injury.
In this article, we will look at frequent dental emergencies and offer advice on what to do should they occur.
What to Do If You Have a Dental Emergency:
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Toothache:
Warm water should be used to rinse your mouth.
Remove any dirt lodged between your teeth with dental floss.
Over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve discomfort momentarily.
Make an appointment with your dentist Dr. Borham as soon as possible.
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Broken or chipped tooth:
Any shattered pieces should be saved.
Warm water should be used to rinse your mouth and the damaged tooth.
If there is bleeding, apply mild pressure with gauze.
See your dentist Dr. Borham right away since a chipped or fractured tooth necessitates professional care.
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Tooth that has been knocked out:
Handle the tooth by the crown (upper portion) rather than the root.
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it but do not scrub it.
If feasible, try to replace the tooth in its socket.
If re-implantation is not an option, place the tooth in milk or a tooth preservation kit and seek dental care as soon as possible.
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Dental Crown Loss or Looseness:
If the crown is still intact, keep it.
Temporarily fix the crown with a small amount of dental adhesive or toothpaste.
For a more permanent remedy, consult your dentist Dr. Borham.
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Severe bruising or soft tissue damage:
To stop the bleeding, apply mild pressure with gauze.
If the bleeding persists, seek medical or dental assistance right once.
Avoiding Dental Emergencies
While learning how to handle dental crises is critical, prevention is essential. Here are some pointers to help you avoid dental emergencies:
Maintain healthy teeth and gums by practicing good oral hygiene.
Wear mouthguards when participating in sports or activities that provide a risk of facial or dental injury.
Chewing on hard objects such as ice, popcorn kernels, or pencils is not recommended.
Schedule frequent dental exams to catch any problems before they become emergencies.
Call us right now to schedule an appointment if you would like to maintain good dental health with regular checkups and cleanings.