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Injuries to the mouth and teeth can be reduced if action is taken as soon as the injury occurs. Your dentist should be the first person you call if you have a dental emergency. Most dentists set aside time for emergency procedures and can get you into the office quickly. Be sure to keep your dentist's after hours contact information readily available at all times. Whether you are travelling or at home, it is important to be prepared for any dental emergency that you might encounter. With some dental emergencies, seeing a dentist within 30 minutes or less can mean the difference between saving and losing your tooth. The First 30 Minutes are Critical to Save a Knocked-out Tooth According to the American Association of Endodontics, more than five million teeth are knocked out every year. A knocked-out tooth can be saved if the proper emergency steps are taken immediately to preserve it. When your tooth is knocked-out, pick up your tooth by the crown and do not touch the root. Touching the root greatly reduces the likelihood of a tooth successfully reattaching to the bone. If the tooth is not clean, carefully rinse it with water. Do not scrub the tooth, or use soap or any chemicals as it will also affect the likelihood of a successful reattachment. Additionally, do not use fabricated materials to clean the tooth and do not dry it. Attempt to restore the tooth by trying to reinsert it into the socket immediately. Do not store it in a napkin or any other material. The tooth may be held in place by holding it with your fingers or gently biting down. Your tooth must be kept moist until you reach your dentist, if it cannot be re-inserted in its socket. Place it in milk or water and a small amount of salt to preserve your tooth until your dentist can take action. It is important to understand that a tooth has the best chance for survival if it is preserved within the first few hours by a dentist. Do Not Ignore Toothaches Toothaches can often signify more serious health issues, making it important that you do not ignore the pain. Studies have demonstrated that heart attacks may be signaled by the sensation of pain on the left side of the jaw. Soreness in the jaw and cheekbones, or difficulty in chewing may also be the first sign of temporomandibular joint disorder, a serious maxillofacial condition. Additionally, sinus infections may produce pain in the upper molar teeth, wrongly leading you to believe that your pain is the result of a dental problem. It is important to consult your dentist if you have a chronic or extremely painful toothache. Various toothache types include:
• Sharp, intermittent tooth sensitivity or pain
• Chronic toothache
• Intense, throbbing pain
• Painful eating
• Back-of-the-jaw pain When it comes to dental emergencies, the sooner you seek dental attention, the better your chances of saving your tooth are. Staying calm and thinking quickly are essential to preserving your tooth until you can visit your Mooresville dentist.
Sean Hartmen writes for Lake Norman Cosmetic Dentistry, a leading family and general dentist in Mooresville. Offering a full array of general and cosmetic dental care, including veneers, teeth whitening and dental implants, Drs. Patel and Patel, family dentists in Mooresville, are qualified to handle every dental need for patients of every age. Patients can also visit the practice implant site at
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