The word “emergency” is one of the scariest words in the English language, especially when it comes to your health. Your dental health is no exception. When we hear the words, “dental emergency,” many of us don’t know what to do and can actually cause more harm than good by trying to take matters into our own hands instead of those of an emergency dentist near Boiling Springs. Let’s look at what to do in a few different dental emergencies, and how to prevent those situations in the first place.
What to Do During Common Dental Emergencies
Whenever any of these situations arises, you should call your emergency dentist first and foremost. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do. Let’s look at a few different types of emergencies:
Knocked-Out Tooth
The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist at all times, and get to your dentist as soon as possible. If you reach your dentist within an hour, your tooth has a high chance of successful reattachment. Hold your tooth by the crown, or the part that you use to chew, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can’t, then place it between your cheek and gums or in a container of milk or saltwater until you see your dentist.
Cracked Tooth
Immediately clean the area by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Apply ice to the face for 10 minutes at a time to reduce any swelling.
Biting Your Lip or Tongue
Use water to gently clean the area. Like with a cracked tooth, hold ice to the area to cut down on any potential swelling.
Objects Stuck in Mouth
Try to gently remove the object with floss. Do NOT use pointed or sharp objects like toothpicks, as that could pierce soft tissues in the mouth and cause pain.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Many toothaches are the result of a piece of food being stuck between the teeth, so see if flossing eliminates the problem. If that doesn’t work, take an over-the-counter painkiller to alleviate the discomfort until you can see your dentist. Just make sure to not place aspirin directly on the teeth or gums, as that can irritate the tissue.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
No emergency is 100 percent preventable, but there are some things you can do to decrease the chances of injuring your teeth, such as:
- Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports
- Avoiding chewing ice or hard candy
- NEVER using your teeth as tools to open or carry things
Emergencies can be terrifying, but hopefully this article helps you feel a little less scared. Remember that the first thing you should always do is call your dentist.
About the Practice
At Carlisle Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Drs. Eric Weed and Thomas Neslun provide friendly service to all their patients in the Carlisle, PA community. Their office is open 5 days a week starting at 7 am, and they keep room in their schedules to deal with any emergency patients. They can reached through their website or at (717)-258-5455.