Dental emergencies can happen any time. That is why knowing what to do when an emergency occurs is crucial. Though dental injuries may not be life threatening, they can demand an abrupt visit to the emergency department. Here at All Smiles Dental, we have listed the most common dental emergencies and how to deal with them.
Dealing with Dental Emergencies
Knocked Out Tooth
For baby teeth:
If the tooth of your child has been knocked out, don’t attempt to put it back in. Seek immediate dental care because dental professionals are best qualified to examine the damage and can recommend the most appropriate course of action.
Take the knocked out baby tooth with you to the dental office so the dentist can ensure that the whole tooth has been knocked out and not just fragments. If you’re uncertain whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, store the tooth in milk or saliva and go to your dentist as soon as possible.
For adult teeth:
If someone has a tooth knocked out, it is important to remain calm, at the same time, act quickly.
The first thing you should do is to locate the tooth as quickly as possible. Handle the tooth with care. Pick it up by the crown and never touch the root of the tooth. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it with some milk. If you can’t find milk, rinse it with tap water instead, but only for a second or two. Avoid scrubbing or soaking the tooth.
Next, put the tooth back into its original position in the mouth. Make sure that it’s the right way around and in the correct spot. To make sure you’ve inserted it in the right place, compare it to the surrounding teeth. Gently bite down on a clean piece of soft cloth, tissue, foil or mouth guard to keep the tooth in place.
If you can’t put the tooth back into the original spot in your mouth, store the tooth in a small container with a small amount of milk or saliva to keep it moist. Do not put the tooth in water. Also, avoid wrapping the tooth in cloth or tissue as this dries out the tooth.
Damaged Tooth (Cracked, Chipped or Broken)
Accidents and impact injuries can cause teeth to crack, chip or become loose. The long-term damage caused by such injuries to the mouth can result in damage if not quickly addressed and treated by a dental professional.
If you chip your tooth, call your dentist right away to book an appointment so you can inform them about your dental accident and they can accommodate you as soon as possible. Store the any tooth fragments in a clean container and take it with you to see your dentist. If possible, your dentist may re-attach the broken fragments to the damaged tooth.
Toothache
If you have a sharp, shooting dental pain, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use a dental floss to get rid of any food debris stuck between your teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues as it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, call your dentist immediately.
Quick Dental Emergency Tips
If you or your loved one encounters a dental emergency, it’s important to remember the following easy emergency tips:
- Do not hold the tooth by the root
- Avoid scrubbing or rubbing the root surface
- Prevent the damaged tooth from drying out
- Do not keep the tooth in water
- Do not delay seeking dental treatment
Damage to your teeth may not be visible to the naked eye. Thus, if you have dental injury, it is critical to see your dentist as soon as possible for a comprehensive assessment. If left unchecked, the damage caused by an accident can put you at greater risk for infection, decay and loss of the tooth.
Same Day Dental Emergency Appointment in Geelong
Your responsive team at All Smiles Dental is ready to handle dental emergencies while ensuring that you maintain the highest dental care possible. The sooner you can seek dental treatment, the better your chances are to minimise the damage and serious oral health problems. Call us for immediate attention during business hours.
Guaranteed same day emergency appointment.
Call us on (03) 5229 5856 today!