Common Dental Emergencies
HOW TO HANDLE COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES
PROACTIVE STEPS TO TAKE IN A CRISIS
Unsure what you should do when dealing with a dental emergency? It’s easy to start panicking as you contemplate your next steps; however, this mindset will only cause you to do more harm than good to your oral cavity potentially. So, what can you do? At Whitewood Dental, your emergency dentist in North Dallas, TX, Dr. Le and his team can offer helpful tips and tricks for you to use while at home and waiting to get in for an appointment. Knowing how to handle common dental emergencies in North Dallas, TX, will only serve to benefit you when preparing to seek professional help. Contact our dental office today to learn what tips you should follow when dealing with particular scenarios.
Something Stuck Between Your Teeth
If an object is stuck between your teeth, make sure to use dental floss to dislodge it. This should help to minimize any pain you might be experiencing. However, suppose the problem is not a lodged object but pain radiating deep inside your tooth. In that case, it could be that there is a severe infection developing that will require root canal therapy or tooth extraction to address.
Extruded Tooth
Any time a tooth is partially or fully knocked out, time is of the essence. You'll need to get to our dental office as quickly as possible for us to try and save the tooth. If you have an extruded tooth (partially knocked out), avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and use a cold compress to reduce any swelling. Make sure to contact our dental office to alert us to the situation to get you in quickly for personalized treatment.
Abscess
If a tooth is infected deep within the innermost layer, it's possible that an abscess has developed and will require immediate treatment. You cannot put off an infection of this sort. While waiting at home to get in for an appointment, don't hesitate to rinse out your mouth with salt water multiple times each day. This will help keep the area clean, which is especially important when dealing with an infection. You might also try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort and a cold compress to minimize swelling.
Soft Tissue Injury
You might be surprised to learn that a busted lip, scratched gums, or bitten tongue can produce a lot of blood. These soft tissue injuries, however, are usually quick to heal. If the bleeding does not cease, you'll need to get to a local emergency room quickly, but in most cases, you can use an ice pack and damp cloth to stop the bleeding and reduce swelling.
