The inconvenience of an emergency is unsurpassed; and in most cases, they require immediate medical attention. How confident would you be in the midst of an emergency involving your mouth? Are you familiar with what steps to take that could help save your teeth? A dental emergency is usually classified as trauma or severe pain associated with any of your oral structures, including your teeth, tongue, or jaw. Depending on the event taking place, your dentist may be your saving grace during this unsettling time.
Stay Calm
In the event that you have suffered some type of trauma to your mouth, the best thing you can do is stay calm, and think clearly. You need to determine if your accident necessitates a visit to a hospital emergency room, or if your dentist can handle the problem. If there is a large amount of blood loss, or your injury may be life threatening, always call 911. Most dental emergencies involve a broken or dislodged tooth, and can often be treated quickly by your dentist.
While You Wait
To ward off pain, you may take an over the counter pain medicine as directed and apply an ice pack near the injury. If your tooth has been broken into pieces, try to collect them all and store them in a plastic ziplock bag or other sealed container. You will need to bring them with you during your visit to our office. For a tooth that has been completely knocked out from the root, you should gently rinse it under water, being careful to not remove any tissue, and attempt to place it back into the socket without using any force. If this cannot be accomplished, place the tooth in a glass of milk or hold it tightly between your check and other teeth to retain moisture.
Prevention is Key
As with your regular dental health, preventing problems is typically easier than treating them. Never use your mouth to open containers, or attempt to cut any material with your teeth. Wear protective mouth guards while playing rough sports, and avoid eating extremely hard foods or candies that are difficult to bite or chew.
ABOUT YOUR CONROE DENTIST:
The Dental Centre of Conroe, John M Richards DDS delivers distinctive cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry for residents of Conroe, Houston, The Woodlands, Willis, Huntsville, and the neighboring communities. For more information about our services, or to schedule an appointment, contact us by calling (936) 441-4600.
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