Emergencies of any kind can happen any time, any place, and without any warning. However, dental emergencies fall into a category all their own and cause particular concern to all of us here at our dental office in Tuscaloosa.
Dental emergencies aren’t like other types of emergencies as they require specific attention and special treatment. But what happens when you have a dental emergency? What do you do? Are all dental emergencies handled the same? Let us help.
Toothache
A toothache can be caused by a variety of problems, but the important thing to know is when you have a toothache, something isn’t right. The ideal solution to treating a toothache is getting to your dentist as soon as possible, so he’s able to diagnose the cause behind the pain and treat the problem. However, you can’t always get to your dentist right away. If this happens, you can rinse with warm salt water or apply some clove oil to help ease the pain. But whatever you do, do not crush up any pain reliever pill and put it directly on your tooth or gums. This can cause pain, burning of the gums, and more serious concerns.
Chipped Tooth
A fall, using your teeth as tools, a popcorn kernel. Almost anything can cause a chipped or broken tooth. If this happens, again, get to your dentist as soon as you can. Prior to visiting, rinse your mouth out to remove any lingering pieces of tooth. If you’re bleeding, place some gauze on the injured area and apply pressure.
Knocked Out Tooth
This is probably one of the scariest dental emergencies, especially if it’s a permanent tooth. Baby teeth, while absolutely important, are not as big of concern if lost prematurely. Just make sure to visit your child’s dentist to check for any damage. If a permanent tooth is lost, remain as calm as possible and follow the steps below.
- Check for any other serious injuries before proceeding with the tooth.
- Avoid touching the roots.
- Rinse it with water.
- Try to place it back in the socket.
- If you can’t, place it in a cup of milk or spit.
- Apply gauze to control bleeding.
- Get to a dentist as soon as possible.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our Tuscaloosa dental office immediately. We’ll work with you to get the problem taken care of quickly, comfortably, and correctly.
Serving patients from Tuscaloosa, Northport, and Cottondale.
