A dental emergency shouldn’t ruin your day, nor should you have to experience discomfort longer than necessary. At Smiles by Design, LLC, our Grand Rapids dentist does everything he can to restore the health of a patient’s smile and make sure they are feeling better when they leave the practice. Dr. David A. Boone offers the following advice for dealing with a dental crisis and how to prevent further damage or complications.
When a dental emergency occurs, it’s crucial to determine the appropriate course of action. If the injury to your smile is severe enough, it may warrant a trip to your nearest Emergency Room or Urgent Care Center.
How do I Handle Dental Trauma?
Chipped, fractured, or dislocated teeth all classify as dental trauma. A toothache can be caused by any of the reasons above or decay could have reached a tooth’s internal structures.
After a dental injury, rinse your mouth with warm water to cleanse your smile of debris and prevent the spread of bacteria. You should carefully floss the surrounding area to dislodge any leftover food particles. When experiencing a broken tooth, be sure to locate all dislodged pieces and rinse them under lukewarm water. If the injured area is bleeding, apply pressure with dental gauze and wait for it to subside. If bleeding persists, you may have to seek urgent care. To alleviate any discomfort and inflammation place an ice pack over the cheek and take ibuprofen.
In the event of tooth avulsion (a knocked-out tooth), it is important to keep the tooth hydrated. If possible, insert it back into its socket. If this isn’t feasible, place the tooth into a glass of milk or lightly salted water and see your dentist as soon as possible. This increases the likelihood of saving the original tooth, especially if you can receive treatment within the hour. If reinsertion is not possible, your dentist will discuss replacement options to meet your dental needs.
What should I do if something happens to my dental restoration?
It is not unheard of for fillings or crowns to fall out. If your filling were to become dislodged and there is sensitivity, try applying sugarless gum over the cavity will work as a temporary fix until you can see your dentist. If your crown ever gets knocked-out or comes off while eating, and is still in one piece, place it back over the tooth and use toothpaste to secure it temporarily until you can see your dentist for an evaluation.
If you ever find yourself in a dental emergency, contact Smiles by Design to be seen by Dr. David A. Boone as quickly as possible or receive further instructions. Our Grand Rapids dentist wants to help preserve your teeth and keep your smile beautiful!