A Broken Tooth Is A Dental Emergency!

As human beings, we often feel most comfortable in many situations in which we can control the outcome. The same can be said for our oral health, as nobody wants to endure losing a tooth. The truth of the matter is, however, that while we can control a number of aspects that contribute to the degradation of our smiles with consistent preventive care, there are a few circumstances that we have absolutely no control over, such as a dental emergency. In today’s blog, your Northwest IN dentist will discuss what happens when you experience a dental emergency and how our team is here to help.

What Constitutes an Emergency?

For a number of oral concerns, preventive dentistry is the key to doing just that – preventing them! Indeed, a steady combination of brushing and flossing at home, attending routine checkups, and paying mind to the negative effects of foods and beverages on your smile significantly contributes to its strength and health for life. But what happens if you experience a dental emergency, and what can you do?

How It Can get Worse

While there is not a specific definition of an emergency, your dentist will consider it to be any situation in which you experience severe pain, discomfort, swelling, or damage to your oral structures, including a cracked, broken, or dislodged teeth. In other words, it includes anything that causes damage and cannot be put off until tomorrow. If you suspect that you may be experiencing a dental emergency, or if you would like to speak to our office about your best steps, contact our team today.

What You Should Do

When it comes to your dental emergency, time is of the essence. This means that things can only get worse the longer you wait, and if you do not act with efficiency, your chances of repairing any damage caused will diminish in level. To avoid this, it is best to have a plan of action in case of emergency. First, you will want to attempt to remain calm. While you may be experiencing significant pain, panicked rushing will only play to your detriment in this situation. From here, you will want to act with efficiency by contacting a family member or friend to drive you to our office. Finally, you will want to pay attention to any dislodged structures or pieces of teeth and attempt to salvage them as best as you can. In the case of an entire knocked-out tooth, make sure to carefully rinse it off under warm running water and pay mind to any tissues that may still be attached, preserving them as best as you can. Next, you will want to place the tooth in an air-tight sealed container with either salt water or milk, and bring it with you to your appointment. For more information, contact our team today.

Contact Our Team

Contact Healthy Smiles in Northwest IN by calling 219-938-2637 to learn more about what to do during a dental emergency or to schedule your appointment today.