Did you know that trips to the emergency room for dental needs went from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.1 million in 2010? That’s nearly double in just a decade! Medical and dental professionals agree that regular dental care and good hygiene habits can prevent some of these emergencies from occurring (like keeping cavities from turning into serious infections). But, unfortunately, you can’t always escape a dental emergency – even if you’re doing well with preventative practices!
Since the best defense is being prepared, keep reading to learn how to handle four of the most common reasons people may need to see an emergency dentist in Montrose!
Jaw Pain or Injury
If you have spontaneous jaw pain, schedule an appointment with your dentist. You may be feeling pain from your wisdom teeth or could have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues.
However, if your jaw has been badly injured or you suspect it may be broken, go to the nearest emergency room. Once you’re medically stable, call a dentist for any restorative needs.
Knocked Out Tooth
Two things are particularly important when a tooth has been knocked out. First, make every effort to get to an emergency dentist in Montrose as soon as possible. They’ll have a better chance of saving the tooth if you’re seen within an hour. Second, the tooth must stay moist until your appointment!
With those two things in mind, follow these steps:
- First, gently rinse off the tooth, making sure to only touch the crown, not the root.
- If possible, place it back in the socket (facing the right way), or hold it in the cheek pouch.
- Children are at risk of swallowing a tooth, so put it in a glass of milk instead (saliva or water will do if milk isn’t available).
- Apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean, damp towel to reduce bleeding until you can be seen.
Fractured Tooth
One of the most common symptoms of a fractured tooth is sharp chewing pain. It can come on quite suddenly or you could actually break a piece of your tooth or a filling after biting down on something. In either case, call right away to schedule treatment.
If you’ve actually broken something, gently rinse your mouth out and avoid chewing on that side until your appointment.
If you notice an uncomfortable or sharp edge with your tongue, you can use temporary, over-the-counter dental cement to cover it.
Toothache
It goes without saying that toothaches can be very painful! If you suddenly develop a toothache, chances are you’ll want to come in as soon as possible for treatment and pain relief.
It’s especially important to call right away if you notice an abscess, which can appear as a pimple-like bump on the gums. This is a sign of infection and needs to be addressed immediately so that it doesn’t spread to the other areas of the body, which can be very dangerous.
An unexpected dental emergency is always a pain (no pun intended)! But, with these guidelines, you’ll at least know how to handle them.
About the Author
Dr. Donald Tamborello knows how upsetting a dental emergency can be. As part of his mission to provide complete, comprehensive dental care, he’s made it a priority to be available to his patients when they need him most. If you have any questions, he can be reached via his website or at (713) 522-7540.