When you chip a tooth, or have one knocked-out completely, don’t panic! Instead, take a few quick steps to alleviate the damage or discomfort, and see us as soon as possible. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist will look at common dental emergency situations, and discuss not only how you should respond to them, but how we may treat them too.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
We consider a dental emergency any damage or pain in your teeth or gums that isn’t life threatening. If you have a potentially life-threatening issue, then please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, give us a call so we can set up a visit as soon as possible to see you to provide treatment. Examples of common emergencies include sudden toothaches, chipped or cracked teeth, loose or lost restorations, objects caught between teeth, or a tooth that is knocked loose or falls out completely.
How to Respond
If you have damaged a tooth, then pick up any stray pieces and bring them to the office with you in a small container. Use a cold compress or ice pack against the side of the face to reduce swelling, and then use cloth or gauze to stem any bleeding. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (the visible portion) and never touch the roots. Place it in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it with you. A cold compress can again reduce swelling and you can stem bleeding with a piece of gauze or cloth.
If an object is caught between your teeth, or a tooth hurts, then rinse with warm water and floss gently on either side of the tooth. If this fails to address the issue, then come see us. If a filling or crown is loose or falls out, then avoid sugary food and drinks, as the tooth will be very sensitive. Then see us as soon as possible so we can treat the issue!
Give Us a Call for Treatment
We may be able to address the issue in a short time frame. For example, we can often correct damage in one visit with dental bonding. We could treat cavities in one visit as well. We also have lifelike restorations like crowns to address more substantial decay or damage too. If you have any questions, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT EMERGENCY DENTISTRY?
We want to help you maintain a strong and healthy smile, even if you break or lose a tooth. To learn more about addressing dental emergency situations, 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.
