Life would be so much easier if we knew exactly how to plan for our day. For example, if you knew that an accident or an injury was coming, you could avoid it all together. But the world does not work that way, and emergencies happen. While you can’t always avoid dental traumas, you can be prepared for them. Knowing what to do ahead of time can take the urgency out of an emergency, and possibly save a tooth.
If a tooth has been lost, and you can find it, rinse it gently with water and do not handle it by the roots. Try to fit it back in the socket, and bite gently down on it through a piece of gauze to hold it in place. If you can’t put it back, place it in milk, a tooth preserving solution, or simply hold it between your cheek and gums until you can see the dentist. You should see the dentist within 30 minutes, but your tooth may remain viable for up to two hours. For a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, and see the dentist as soon as you can.
Do not apply aspirin directly to your tooth if you have a toothache. You may try an over-the-counter, or topical pain reliever, and you should rinse and floss the area to remove any foreign matter.
If a crown falls off or becomes loose, you can hold it in place with dental cement. You can also use dental cement to secure a loose filling. A cavity can be treated with dental cement, and temporary fillings and cotton pellets are available. Dental wax can be applied to a broken or loose wire from your braces to keep it from it irritating your cheek.
No matter the nature of the emergency, you should see your dentist as soon as you can after it occurs. The tips we’ve given you here are temporary solutions. Only your dentist can safely and effectively treat problems with your mouth and teeth.
If you experience a dental emergency, if you are looking for a dentist for your family, or if it is just time for your routine checkup, Dr. [doctor_name] and the staff at [practice_name] would love to meet you! If you live in the [city], [state], area, call [phone] today for an appointment.