While you may know to call an ambulance when an emergency is happening, what do you do if you or someone you know sustains an injury local to the mouth or teeth? Is it worth it to call an ambulance at that point? Should you try to schedule a visit to the dentist instead? What if you wake up to severe tooth pain? What’s the best plan of action then?
To find out, consider these tips from an emergency dentist in Tallahassee who gets questions like these from patients all too often.
Addressing Emergencies Before Visiting the Dentist
In the event your tooth is cracked or damaged in any way, do your best to salvage any pieces by placing them in a container of milk, saline solution, saltwater, or saliva. This will help preserve them until you get to the practice. Take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen to mitigate any pain, but avoid aspirin as this can cause a burning sensation if it makes direct contact with the damaged tooth.
If you’re experiencing significant tooth pain, you can also take painkillers and use a cold compress to alleviate any swelling that may be present.
If your tooth is completely knocked-out, start by locating the tooth and picking it up only by the crown. Leave any tissue attached to the root to improve your chances of successful reimplantation. After gently rinsing any debris on the tooth, place it back into your tooth socket and gently bite down to preserve it. You can also place it into the previously mentioned fluids to keep it preserved for up to an hour.
What to Expect at the Dental Office
You should schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist, ideally for the same day, as soon as you’re stabilized and have your tooth properly stored. Once you arrive, the dentist will examine your damaged area and any other pieces of tooth you managed to save. She’ll also provide professional-grade painkillers to make you feel more comfortable.
Then, she’ll go over your options for protecting your damaged tooth or replacing it if your broken tooth was salvageable. These options may include placing a dental filling, crown, or scheduling you for a dental bridge or implant consultation to replace knocked-out teeth.
Why Getting to the Dentist Provides a Better Outcome
Whether your issue occurred while playing sports or due to years of dental neglect, not getting it treated will only result in more extensive and expensive restorative treatments later. A damaged tooth that could have been saved with a dental filling will only require an entire dental crown if you wait, which is a far more expensive treatment. Failing to cover a damaged tooth can cause it to become infected, creating the need for root canal therapy later.
Bottom-line, don’t put off dental emergencies when they occur! Get to your emergency dentist as soon as possible!
About the Author
Dr. Ransey Boyd earned her Doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of Florida. If you’re having a dental emergency and don’t know where to turn, her office will work diligently to get your issue treated the same day it occurs. To learn more or get yourself treated now, contact her through her website.