5 Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them with Your Emergency Dentist

It can happen to anyone at any time. One minute, life is going along just fine, but then, suddenly you have a dental emergency on your hands! What should you do? Do you need to see an emergency dentist? What if you have to wait to see them? And what should you do while you wait? To answer your questions, here are five common dental emergencies and some guidance on how to deal with them so that you can increase your chances of treatment success.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If a permanent tooth comes out completely, contact your dentist immediately and try to get to their office within an hour. The sooner, the better! Avoid touching the root or any tissue that is still connected to it. If you can’t put it back in its socket, store it in warm water or milk to keep the root wet. Your dentist will be able to reposition the tooth and place a splint that will help it heal correctly.

Partially Dislodged Tooth

Similar to a knocked-out tooth, you need to see your dentist serving Cyprus and Spring area patients as soon as possible for a partially dislodged tooth. However, you should avoid touching it at all, leaving your dentist to place your tooth in the right position and place the splint.

Severe Toothache

Experiencing a toothache is never pleasant. Try flossing around the affected tooth to ensure that nothing is stuck and rinsing your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Then call your dentist for the next available appointment. Until you are able to see them, you can use over-the-counter medication and cold compresses to manage the pain. The most likely culprit is tooth decay that has penetrated to the tooth pulp, where its nerves are. Your dentist may need to perform a root canal to remove the infected tissue and relieve your pain.

Chipped, Cracked or Broken Tooth

If you chip, crack, or break a tooth or your dental work, you need to contact your dentist for their next available appointment. If you must wait to see them, you should avoid using that tooth and rinse your mouth with warm water to keep it clean. If applicable, try to gather any pieces of your natural tooth so that your dentist can reattach them.

Object Stuck between Teeth

If an object has become stuck between the teeth, try to get it loose by gently flossing around it. Do not use a sharp object because this can damage the gum tissue or scratch your enamel. If you aren’t able to get the object free with floss, call your dentist for the next available appointment. They have the tools and training to safely remove objects from between your teeth.

It is important to be prepared for the unexpected. Although you can’t plan when or how a dental emergency is going to happen, you can plan how you will respond when one does. By reacting quickly and wisely, you can ensure that your treatment is successful and that your smile can stay happy and healthy for many years in the future.

About the Author

Dr. Darrick Castleberry is a qualified, experienced alumnus of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Studies and has completed the Misch Surgical Program from the Misch International Implant Institute. These prestigious institutions have given him expertise that he shares in his practice with his patients through the best treatment and technology that dentistry has to offer. You can contact him for an appointment by calling (281) 320-9600 or clicking here.