Do You Know What To Do For A Dental Emergency?
First, it’s important to remain calm. Accidents happen and knowing what to do for different types of dental emergencies could save your tooth. Regardless of what happens, it’s vital to see your dentist as soon as possible, and if something happens after hours and you’re in pain or the bleeding won’t stop, please go to the emergency room immediately.
According to Mouth Healthy, by the American Dental Association, here’s what to do for some common dental emergencies (You can view their video and other tips here: Dental Emergency Tips )
Contact my office right away if you think you have a dental emergency: 619-285-1200
Question: What do I do if I knock out my tooth?
Answer: For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away.
Q: What if I crack my tooth?
A: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Q: Is there anything I should add to my first aid kit?
A: It’s a good idea to have floss on hand in case something gets caught in your teeth. The Save-a-Tooth emergency tooth preservation kit is also a smart addition to your first aid kit in case you lose a tooth unexpectedly.
Q: How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A: There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:
- Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
- Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
- Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.