To flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19, many people across the DFW area are staying home and doing what they can to protect the health of themselves and their families. But what happens when a dental emergency arrives? If you develop a damaged tooth, your Garland, TX, dentist suggests scheduling an emergency visit so we can repair the issue.
Common Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency involves any damage or pain in your smile that isn’t life threatening. If you encounter a life-threatening injury, then of course call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. Common scenarios include a chipped, broken, or cracked tooth, as well as teeth that are knocked-out completely. A loose or lost filling or crown could be trouble, as could a sudden and severe toothache or an object caught between your teeth that cannot be removed with floss alone. If you encounter any of these scenarios, then contact our team so we can set up a time to see you. Know that right now, our office is following strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols to protect our patients, and scheduling only emergency visits (and doing so in a way that ensures an empty waiting room for our patients).
How Do I Respond?
If you have a damaged tooth and there is bleeding, you can use cloth or gauze to control it. Following any injury, placing an ice pack or cold compress against the side of the face could reduce swelling. You can also take a pain reliever too! If a tooth is knocked-out completely, then place it in a glass of milk or salt water, and bring it to the office with you. If a filling or crown falls out, place it in a container and bring it with you. Avoid sugary foods and drinks until we can treat it, otherwise you could experience serious discomfort. If something isn’t stuck between your teeth, only use floss to dislodge it. If this fails, don’t use anything else, or you risk causing damage to your gum tissues.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on the cause and extent of your injury. For minor issues, we could use cosmetic bonding to repair the tooth in a single visit. If you have more severe damage, then we may create and place a lifelike dental crown. We can replace any loose or lost restorations as well.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT EMERGENCY DENTISTRY?
Damage to your teeth or persistent pain could mean the presence of an oral health concern that needs immediate attention. To learn more about our approach to emergency dental care, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
