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Did you or a family member chip, crack or knock out their tooth? When a dental emergency arises it is important to take appropriate steps immediately to save your tooth or teeth. Your dentist should be the first person that you call if you have a dental emergency. Many dentists now set aside time specifically for dental emergency procedures. Be sure to keep a record of your dentist's contact information readily available at all times; you never know when you might need it. A Knocked-Out Tooth If you knock out a tooth, it is a dental emergency that requires urgent attention. If the appropriate emergency steps are followed immediately after your tooth has been knocked out, your chances are very high that the tooth can be reinserted and preserved by your dentist. Immediately pick up your knocked out tooth by the top (crown) of the tooth. It is important that you do not touch the root of the tooth. Rinse the tooth off very gently to ensure that it is clean and do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissues that may still be attached to it. Be sure to place a towel or washcloth in the sink so that your tooth does not go down the drain while you are cleaning it. If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket and hold it gently in place while trying to bite down. If you can't place the tooth back in the socket, put it in a small container or in a cup of milk. Your Tooth is Loose or Out of Alignment When your tooth is loose or out of alignment, you should call your Waunakee dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, as you wait for your appointment, you can try to put the tooth back in its original position using your finger with very light pressure. Do not force the tooth back into position, as this may increase the damage. You can also bite down on your tooth in order to keep it from moving.
Chipped, Cracked or Fractured Teeth If your tooth is chipped, but doesn't hurt, this typically does not constitute a dental emergency and can be fixed in a few days during normal operating hours for your dentist. If you are not exhibiting any pain, it is important to be careful while chewing so that you do not chip your teeth even more. When visiting your dentist for a non-emergency chip, your dentist may simply be able to smooth the chip out, or add composite filling material to repair the tooth. A cracked or fractured tooth causing pain is a serious dental emergency and should be handled immediately. Fractured or cracked teeth can suggest that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth in addition to the outside of the tooth. Severe fractures can be so extreme that the tooth cannot be saved. If you suffer from a fractured tooth, contact your dentist in Waunakee immediately and follow these steps to help save your tooth: • Clean your mouth out by gently rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
• If the fracture is caused by facial trauma, apply a cold compress to the area to minimize swelling.
• Never apply a painkiller to the gum as it can burn the gum tissue. Since a dental emergency can happen at any time and place, the best thing to do is to be prepared and not to panic. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact your Waunakee dentist immediately. The sooner you can visit your dentist for proper care, the better your chances are of saving your tooth.
Sean Hartmen writes for premier dentists in Waunakee, WI, Drs. Stanley Karls and Matthew Karls. A father-son practice, Karls Family Dentistry has been serving Waunakee since 1970. Waunakee natives, Dr. Matthew Karls and Dr. Stanley Karls, Waunakee family dentists, are committed to providing the best in quality dental care for patients of all ages.
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