Dental Emergencies
If you’ve ever experienced a dental emergency, you know it can be stressful. Although they can happen to anyone at anytime, preparation can make all the difference when dealing with an urgent situation. Let’s take a look at some common dental emergencies and what to do if they happen to you or a loved one.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
It’s extremely common to experience at least one dental emergency in your lifetime. For example, this could include losing a permanent tooth, cracking or chipping a tooth, losing a crown or filling, or having an urgent oral health issue like an infection or abscess. Sometimes dental emergencies are painful, while others may occur without you even realizing. Either way, we want you to call our office right away if you think you have an urgent situation.
What to Do In a Dental Emergency
First, don’t panic. Call us right away. We always hold room on our schedule for emergencies. If a tooth falls out, rinse the tooth off with water and hold it by the crown end (not the root end). If you feel comfortable placing it back into your mouth, do so and hold it in place for several minutes. Then bite down. If you’re not comfortable doing this, or if there’s too much pain, bring the tooth to us. You can store it in milk until we see you to keep it nice and moist. If you lose a crown or filling, call us right away. We can replace it. If you have a severe toothache, fever, or facial swelling, call us as soon as possible. This could be a sign of infection. If you’re unable to breathe, go to the nearest emergency room.
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies
Again, emergencies can happen to anyone. But there are a few precautions you can take to be safer. If you play a contact sport, always wear an athletic mouthguard. If you have crowns or fillings, avoid hard or chewy candies. To prevent tooth chipping, never chew on non-food items and use caution when eating ice, popcorn kernels, or fruits with seeds or pits. Don’t put off seeing a dentist if you have severe dental pain. This could worsen and lead to deeper problems. Always practice good dental hygiene. Brush, floss, eat a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, and maintain all regularly scheduled dental visits. All of these measures can help you avoid emergencies.
Helotes Family Dentistry Is Here for You
Never hesitate to call us if you think you may have a dental emergency. We can help guide you toward your next steps. If it’s time to schedule a routine examination, call us today!
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