When you have a broken arm or experience a fall, you head to the ER. But what do you do if you experience a dental emergency? Things like breaking a tooth, having a tooth knocked out, or experiencing extreme pain are all dental emergencies that need immediate attention. When you find yourself in a dental emergency, it’s crucial that you follow these tips on how to handle some of the most common emergencies and give us a call to get in as soon as possible.
What to do when your tooth is knocked out:
One of the most common dental emergencies we see is knocked out teeth. From playing sports to taking a nasty spill to head on collisions with siblings while playing outside, we’ve seen it all. And regardless of how your tooth ends up out of your jaw and on the ground, it’s important that you follow these steps.
Pick up the tooth and immediately place it in a moist paper towel or glass of milk.
Use cotton gauze or whatever is available and clean to stop bleeding in the mouth.
Call our office to get in for an immediate appointment.
The sooner we tend to your knocked out tooth the more likely it is that we will be able to save the tooth and get it back in place.
How to handle broken teeth:
A tooth is usually broken because some type of food or candy hits it at just the right angle. Broken teeth are painful, make chewing impossible, and must be addressed immediately so that the tooth doesn’t die.
When we bring patients in who have had broken teeth we do our best to save the tooth either through a restoration process or root canal. The root canal is commonly chosen for situations in which infection or injury is so extensive that the tooth can’t be kept alive. Root canal allows your tooth to stay in place without a prosthetic.
When your tooth is infected:
Infection is not just painful, it has the potential to spread to surrounding areas including other teeth. Signs of an infection include persistent bad breath, intense pain, and a sour taste in the mouth (commonly associated with pus). You may also see swelling around the gum lines and bleeding that continues long after brushing or flossing has finished.
If you notice signs of an infection we recommend you:
Rinse with a solution of one tablespoon of saltwater in one cup of water.
Apply ice to the area if possible.
Give us a call to get in for treatment. We’ll not only be able to treat the site of the infection, we’ll also be able to prescribe antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading further.
Whether you’re experiencing an infection, broken tooth, or some other type of infection, we encourage you to give our office a call. Dr. Movassaghi is skilled in treating emergencies and dedicated to giving patients the best outlook for recovery possible.