Nothing makes your brain simply stop working like stress. If that stress is because you have seriously injured your teeth, it can be tough to know exactly what to do in the moment. You won’t be able to think clearly, nor will the people around you. What you need for the situation is a plan, and that’s exactly what your emergency dentist in El Reno, OK, Dr. Adam Cohlmia is going to give you. By being prepared for a dental emergency, you’ll be able to quickly take action to get the relief you need when time is of the essence. Here are a few common dental emergencies and the best way to handle them.
1. Broken or Knocked Out Tooth
This kind of injury is especially common for people who frequently play sports. The absolute first thing you should do is call our office at El Reno Family Dentistry. This will enable us to make an appointment to see you as soon as possible, and let our team talk you through first-aid tips that just might save your tooth. After you have called us, here’s what you should do:
- Use gauze or a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure to manage the bleeding
- Locate your tooth and pick it up only by the crown, never touch the root
- Wash the tooth off with warm water
- Either place the tooth back in the empty socket, or in a container of milk or salt water
- Use a cold compress to help manage the pain and reduce the swelling
2. Broken Dental Restoration
Just like your teeth, fillings, crowns, and bridges can also be damaged and broken. No matter what type of restoration you have, make sure you call us first when this happens. We can’t stress enough how important this is to saving your teeth. A few things you can do are:
- Gather the pieces of the dental work and wash them if they were on the ground
- Try to place the restoration back into your mouth if possible
- If not, place dental wax, a piece of sugarless gum, or a cotton ball on your tooth to protect it
- If there is pain, apply a little clove oil to the area, and do not simply place pain medication on your gums, as it could potentially damage them.
3. Severe Toothache
This is usually an indication that a cavity has reached the nerve of your tooth, and this can cause quite a bit of pain. After you have called your dentist in El Reno, OK, these steps should help relieve your pain until you can see us:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water
- Floss around the tooth to remove any food particles
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek
4. Object Caught In-Between Teeth
Once again, make sure you call our office immediately, then take the following steps:
- Use dental floss to try and carefully remove the object
- Never use a sharp object to get it out
- Don’t try to force the object out if it isn’t moving, as this can only injure your teeth further
Have Any Questions?
As you can see, in any dental emergency, you need to contact our office as soon as you can. This is the best way to get the exact treatment that you need to take away your pain and keep your smile intact. In certain situations, like where your jaw may be broken or you can’t stop the bleeding, head to your local emergency room first, and then contact us so we can help you.
If you have any questions about how to handle a dental emergency, or want tips on how to avoid one altogether, give us a call today.