Will You Be Ready For A Dental Emergency?
Sure enough, when a dental emergency occurs, it is often at the most inopportune time. This leaves individuals wondering if they have a true dental emergency, and if so, how fast should they see a dentist? As noted by the Consumer Guide To Dentistry, some dental emergencies require quick assessment and treatment (less than 30 minutes!) in order to save a tooth. For this reason, it’s important to have your dentist’s contact information on hand at all times. It’s equally important to develop a plan of action in the event that a mishap or injury occurs. Will you be ready for a dental emergency? Here are a few common scenarios that warrant an immediate phone call to the dentist.
- Your Tooth Has Been Knocked Out. Considered an urgent dental emergency, when a tooth is knocked out, your dentist should be notified right away. Meanwhile, if possible, pick up the tooth by the top or crown portion, not the root. After gently rinsing the tooth, place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place. If this is not possible, the tooth can be placed in a container of milk.
- Your Tooth Has Been Chipped Or Fractured. While a chipped tooth is not necessarily a dental emergency, it is important to let your dentist know and schedule a follow-up within a few days of the injury. On the other hand, a fractured tooth is a serious dental concern and requires immediate evaluation. While waiting to get to the dentist, it’s a good idea to rinse with warm water to clean out the mouth.
- You Suffer A Tissue Injury To The Inside Of The Mouth. Any kind of puncture wound such as a tear or laceration to the lips, cheeks, mouth and tongue is considered a dental emergency. In these cases, it is imperative to get to a local emergency room quickly.
When patients are still unsure that they’re having a dental emergency, there are a few questions to consider. First, are you bleeding from your mouth? Are you in pain? Do you have any loose teeth? Do you have swelling in your mouth or on your face? Are there any bumps or bulges in your gum tissues? Asking yourself these questions is one way to determine if you should call the dentist right away. Yet, when in doubt, it never hurts to call.
At Lawrenceville Family Dental Care, we realize that any injury to the mouth or teeth is a frightening experience. We also understand that these things happen when individuals least expect them. That’s why we remain focused on providing excellent dental care in a comfortable and calm atmosphere. Thus, if you find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency, Dr. Patel and the team welcomes your call at Lawrenceville Family Dental Care today.
Posted on Behalf of Lawrenceville Family Dental Care
