Experiencing a Dental Emergency? Take These Steps Immediately
More than half of the adult U.S. population surveyed over age 50 agree that a smile is the one physical feature that stays the most attractive as we age, according to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. That being said, it only takes one dental emergency to cause potentially irreversible damage to your oral health and your beautiful smile. If you feel as though you’re suffering from any type of dental emergency, take the following steps immediately:
Preserve Tooth Properly
While dental emergencies come in many varieties, it’s important to understand how to preserve your teeth, if necessary. For example, if you knock out a permanent tooth, try to preserve it by rinsing it gently and store it in the mouth — unless it belongs to a child or an unconscious person. When a knocked out tooth is stored in the mouth, the saliva helps to preserve it. Otherwise, store it in a cup of milk and seek emergency dental care within two hours, experts say.
In other cases, you may need to use gauze — this is true if you have a loose permanent tooth that hasn’t completely fallen out. Gauze can help absorb blood and serve as a temporary adhesive until emergency dental care is available.
Call Emergency Dentist
Once you’ve determined how to preserve your dental health properly, call an emergency dentist to receive treatment as soon as possible. Regardless of the type of dental emergency, seeking treatment sooner reduces the chance that you’ll end up sustaining permanent oral health damage.
Know DIY Pain Treatments
Even if you’ve managed to preserve the tooth or injured area, you’ll likely be in pain until you seek treatment. In most cases, dentists recommend taking an over-the-counter pain relief medication, like Tylenol. Other times, you can hold a cold compress on the area. And of course, if you can’t get a hold of an emergency dentist, it’s best to be safe and visit the emergency room.
Dealing with a dental emergency is never any fun, but understanding the most critical steps to take in the immediate aftermath can save you from sustaining more serious damage to your dental health. For more information about dealing with a dental emergency, contact Hudson Family Dental.