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Have you ever been traveling or even at home and experienced a dental emergency you did not know how to handle? If you have, there are several different steps you can take to protect your smile and get your emergency taken care of as soon as possible. It is important to remember that, in some cases, seeing a dentist within 30 minutes or less can make a big difference in saving or losing your injured tooth. People risk breaking their teeth or injuring their mouths every day. You run the risk while eating, exercising, playing and participating in other activities that may seem harmless. Occurring when your tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loose or is knocked out completely; dental emergencies are not to be ignored. You Knocked-Out your Tooth If your tooth is knocked out, you should call your Parma immediate care dentist right away for an emergency appointment. Within an hour of your injury it is very important to see your dentist for the best chance of your tooth surviving. If appropriate steps are taken, the chances of your tooth being reinserted and preserved by your dentist are very high. Follow these steps if your tooth is knocked out: • Pick up your tooth by the top (crown). Do not touch the root, or roots, of the tooth.
• Rinse off your tooth gently to ensure that it is clean. Whatever you do, do not scrub your tooth or remove any of the tissue that may be attached to it.
• If you are able to, gently place your tooth back into the socket. Hold the tooth in place while trying to bite down.
• If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket, put the tooth in a small container or in a cup of milk.
• Most importantly, call your Cleveland dentist immediately because getting to the dentist as soon as possible with your tooth is crucial to saving your knocked out tooth. A Tooth is Chipped, Cracked or Fractured A cracked or fractured tooth is a serious issue, resulting in a dental emergency. If your tooth is only chipped, but does not hurt, it does not usually constitute an emergency and can wait a few days. While waiting a few days is a possibility, it is important to be careful with chewing so you do not chip your tooth any more than it already is. Fractured or cracked teeth usually suggest that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth as well as the outside of your tooth. Seeking care from your dentist right away is critical to saving the tooth. If you do suffer from a fractured tooth, it is important to call your dentist immediately for an emergency appointment. Additionally, you should follow these steps: • Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
• Save any pieces of your broken tooth and bring it with you to the dentist.
• If the fracture is caused by facial trauma, apply a cold compress to the area to minimize the swelling. If you are experiencing any sort of extreme pain associated with your tooth, a visit to your Parma immediate care dentist may be in order. It is always important to take extra precautions when it comes to protecting your teeth. Upon an emergency, visit your dentist immediately for proper treatment and prevention of further complications.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Kent Lamoreux, a leading dentist in Cleveland, OH. Providing comprehensive dental care including, implants, veneers and whitening, Dr. Lamoreux is a highly-regarded immediate care dentist in Parma and Cleveland.
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