Dental emergencies happen all the time, and fortunately, most of the time a dental emergency is not something to stress or panic about, because the situation can often be remedied quickly with your dentist. From lost teeth to damaged dental prosthetics, there are several forms of dental traumas that can cause you pain and discomfort that requires immediate dental attention. Dental emergencies are not life-threatening, but situations that requires quick care. How to handle a dental emergency: Remain calm, act fact, and follow these helpful steps.
Lost tooth? Unexpected dental trauma? Here’s what to do in a dental emergency:
Call your dentist: Don’t delay calling your dentist if you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Even if you’re not sure how severe the emergency is, play it safe and act fast by reaching out for professional guidance immediately. Your dentist may advise you to handle the situation on your own if it’s not severe or your dentist may recommend that you come in to the dental office for a dental emergency appointment.
Ease your pain and discomfort: While you wait for your newly scheduled emergency dental appointment, soothe your pain by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever medication. You can also help get your mind off the discomfort by helping yourself relax: take a bath, watch a favorite movie, or try to take a nap to pass the time while you wait for your dental appointment.
Stop bleeding and reduce swelling: If there is bleeding in your mouth, try to stop the bleeding by biting down on a clean piece of gauze. You can also swish and rinse with warm salt water. These simple efforts should stop the bleeding. If your face is swelling or swollen, place an ice pack or frozen vegetable bag to the outside of your face to help reduce the swelling.
Store your lost tooth: Did your tooth get knocked out? Carefully rinse it with warm water and store the tooth in a sealed container until your dental appointment.
As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.
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