What To Do Following A Dental Emergency

A dental emergency could mean everything from an aching tooth to an injury to the teeth and gums. Without care, these injuries could open the door to serious complications, including decay and even infected teeth. In today’s blog, your Omaha, NE, dentist discusses what to do following a dental emergency to ease discomfort, and why seeing us as soon as possible is vital.

Common Situations

Basically, a dental emergency is any injury or damage to the teeth, gums, and oral structures that isn’t a life-threatening problem. Otherwise, you should call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room. Common examples of dental emergencies include cracked or chipped teeth, objects caught between teeth that cannot be removed with floss, sudden severe aches and sensitivity, knocked-out teeth, or dental restorations that have become loose or lost. All of these situations could expose the tooth to more serious complications, such as a cavity or infection, one that could further threaten the health and stability of surrounding teeth.

Responding and Treating the Issue

You should contact our team right away to set up an appointment. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease discomfort. A cold compress against the side of the face could reduce swelling, and you can always use cloth or gauze to control any bleeding. If you chip a tooth, see if you can recover any of the missing pieces and bring them to the office. If you knock a tooth out completely, then place the tooth in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it with you. If a crown or filling comes loose or falls out, bring it with you to the office and avoid any sugary foods and drinks until we can replace the restoration. A missing filling or crown could expose the inner tooth structure, which means sugary foods or drinks could cause serious discomfort.

Protect Your Smile

When you see us, we will treat the issue and offer solutions to return the tooth to optimal health and function. But what can you do to limit the risk of future emergency situations? First, if you play sports or engage in other activities that could damage smiles, such as boxing or martial arts, always wear a mouthguard. We can help by creating a custom one for you. Also, try to avoid chewing on hard objects, such as popcorn kernels, ice, pens, or pencils. These steps can help lower the chances of future injuries!

Do You Have a Damaged Tooth?

For those with chipped or cracked teeth, emergency care can stop discomfort and correct the smile. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Pacific Hills Dental in Omaha, NE, today at (402) 330-2243. We also serve the residents of Papillion, Elkhorn, La Vista, Millard, and all surrounding communities.