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An unexpected accident or an injury to the teeth or mouth can result in tooth loss, broken teeth, soft tissue wounds, or even worse, a broken jaw. Preventing dental accidents are possible, but when you are prepared to take control if one does occur can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you experience an injury to your teeth or oral tissues, call your Holmdel dentist immediately. Many dentists allot time in their daily schedules for emergencies and are qualified to treat an array of dental injuries. What to do when a Tooth is Knocked Out Falling down or suffering a hard hit to the face can result in the loss of one or multiple teeth. First, retrieve the dislodged tooth and gently rinse it in water, being very careful not to remove any attached tissue. Gently attempt to place the tooth back into its socket. If that doesn't work, place the tooth in a small cup of milk or salt water solution and get to your dentist as soon as you can. The faster you get to your dentist, the better chance you will have of saving your tooth. Caring For Damaged Teeth For whatever reason, your tooth or teeth can break, crack or chip. If this happens, retrieve and save as many pieces as possible. Gently rinse your mouth with water, and if you experience bleeding, directly apply gauze to the injured area until the bleeding ceases. Swelling will most likely occur so apply ice to the outside of your cheek or mouth and schedule an appointment to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Treating Soft-Tissue Injuries Injuries to the tongue, lips, gums and cheeks can cause pain, swelling and bleeding. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply direct pressure to the affected area with moistened gauze or a tea bag. You can also reduce swelling and slow the bleeding by applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or mouth. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 20-30 minutes of ice and pressure, the injury may require professional medical attention and you'll need to get to your dentist or emergency room right away. Lost Fillings or Crowns Over time, dental fillings and crowns can loosen and eventually fall out. If you lose a filling, temporarily replace it with a piece of sugarless gum, and call your regular cosmetic dentist for an appointment as soon as possible. Keeping the sensitive nerves from being exposed will help reduce pain and discomfort until you can get to your dentist. For lost or broken crowns, first try to place the crown back over the tooth. If this doesn't work and your tooth is aching, apply clove oil with a cotton swab to the affected tooth to temporarily alleviate the pain. Visit your Holmdel cosmetic dentist as soon as you can, and remember to take the crown with you. As a general rule, if it hurts, it's a dental emergency. Don't delay in getting to your Holmdel dentist if you are experiencing pain caused by an injury to your mouth or teeth. A speedy treatment significantly improves your odds of saving a damaged or injured tooth.
Sean Hartmen writes for Rooney and Rooney dentistry, a Holmdel implant dentist. Specializing in implants, Invisalign, veneers, whitening and Biolase Waterlase, this Holmdel cosmetic dentist is committed to the dental health of every patient it serves.
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