Have you ever experienced a dental emergency? When it happens, it can be painful, traumatic, but most of all, surprising. You never know when a dental emergency can occur, but you can be prepared and know what to do if disaster strikes. Keep reading to discover the best ways to handle some of the most common dental emergencies while on-the-go from an expert emergency dentist in Carrollton.
Your Tooth Gets Knocked Out
If one of your teeth gets knocked out, the clock starts ticking. The sooner you can get in to see your dentist, the more likely it can be successfully replanted. If your tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (the top) to avoid damaging its fragile roots and rinse it off. Be careful not to scrub away any tissue that’s attached to the tooth roots.
After, you can place the tooth back in your socket, holding it in with your tongue. If this isn’t possible, keep it in a glass of milk or water to keep it moist. The key is to try to see your dentist within the hour so they can safely reattach your tooth.
You Crack or Chip a Tooth
A crack or chip in your tooth can be painful. It’s important to try to find any pieces of your broken tooth. After, rinse your mouth and the remnants of your teeth with warm water. If you’re bleeding, you can apply gauze with some pressure for around 10 minutes, and you can use a cold compress on the outside of the affected area to ease swelling.
Call your dentist right away if you crack or chip your teeth. Depending on the severity of your tooth fracture, your dentist will provide the treatment you need to get your smile back to full health.
You Have a Toothache
If you have a toothache, try flossing around the area first. Sometimes, it’s as easy as removing a pesky piece of food. If pain persists, avoid chewing on the sensitive side and eating extremely hot or cold foods. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to cope with the discomfort. If you’re still in pain after a few days, contact your dentist to get the treatment you need.
You Lose a Crown or Filling
If you lose a crown or filling, your best bet is to find a way to cover the affected area to protect yourself from pain and damage. You can use dental cement found at your local drugstore, or you can even use sugar-free gum to stick on top of the decayed area.
Now that you know how to handle some of the most common types of dental disaster, you can be ready if you or any of your loved ones have a dental emergency.
Meet the Dentist
A graduate of the NYU College of Dentistry, Dr. Moji Chandy is a highly-trained dentist who has a passion for caring for her patients. She understands how painful injuries in the mouth can be, which is why she offers expert emergency dentistry to get you out of pain fast. She currently practices at Aegis Dental, and she can be contacted through her website or by phone at (972) 492-6700 for any questions.