A dental emergency can happen anywhere, even when performing the most basic tasks. Many people experience them while playing sports or being active, but it can also happen while you’re chewing something, particularly if it’s very hard or tough. Either way, there’s a good chance your emergency dentist in Sparks has heard some iteration of the incident before and wants to let you know one thing.
You can handle this situation.
Obviously, you’ll want to come to the practice to get it treated fully, but it doesn’t mean you need to panic when an emergency arises. Here are a few common dental emergencies and how to best treat them before stopping by.
What are the Most Common Dental Emergencies?
Below, you’ll find a list of the most common dental emergencies your dentist experiences regularly. If you are experiencing any of the following, you should call your emergency dentist in Sparks as soon as possible or have a family member call for you if you cannot. They include:
- A knocked-out tooth or dental restoration
- A foreign object stuck in or in between teeth
- Broken or bent dentures
- Severe tooth pain or severe sensitivity
- Broken or severely chipped teeth and/or dental restorations
- Soft tissue lacerations
If you are experiencing severe bleeding or you think you may have a broken jaw, visit the emergency room first before heading to your dentist. This way, they’ll be able to better treat you once you’re not in any significant danger. Next, your dentist will explain how to treat the most common emergencies he sees.
How Do I Treat a Fully Dislodged or Broken Tooth?
If your tooth is completely removed from the socket, start by locating the tooth and cleaning any debris from the crown. Avoid touching the root or removing any tissue that still be attached. Once you’ve washed the crown with cool water, attempt to place the tooth back into the socket the same way it was in originally. This increase the odds of it being successfully reimplanted. If this can’t be done, store the tooth in a container of milk, saltwater, or saliva and head to your dentist.
If only slightly dislodged, attempt to gently push the tooth back into the socket. Use an ice pack to reduce facial swelling and take painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat pain.
What If I Have Severe Tooth Pain?
If you wake up to severe pain and not from obvious trauma, there’s a chance your tooth is abscessed due to an infection in the inner tooth. To save your tooth, call your emergency dentist in Sparks immediately to see if you can get same-day treatment.
What If My Tooth is Chipped but Doesn’t Hurt?
If you only chipped a small portion of your tooth or you cracked it and it doesn’t extend beyond the gum line, you can wait until regular business hours to see your dentist. Schedule an appointment and avoid applying pressure to the tooth until then.
Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. It can mean the difference between saving your tooth and needing an implant!
About the Author
Dr. Marc Thomas earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Pacific. After school, he joined the US Army Dental Corp before starting his practice. Today, he’s continuing his dental education and is an active member of the ADA, the Seattle Study Club, and the Academy of General Dentistry. To learn more about treating dental emergencies or about his practice, contact him at (775) 626-3535 or visit his website.