How to Prepare for an Emergency Dental Visit
Much like medical emergencies, a dental emergency can happen at any time. A dental emergency is a situation in which you can’t wait for a standard dental appointment due to extreme pain, bleeding, or other symptoms. If you ever require such emergency dental care services, here are some key ways to prepare for your visit.
Call the Dentist
The first step in handling the situation is finding an emergency dentist. Some dentists, particularly those with a family dentistry practice, have emergency hours. You don’t want to go to a random office only to find it closed. Call ahead to see if a dentist is available then or the next day.
Find the Tooth
Dental emergencies may happen because of a knocked out or loose tooth. When children are involved in sports or are very active in other ways that produce trips and falls, they may get a chipped, loose, or knocked-out tooth. According to the AAPD, up to 39% of childhood dental injuries happen due to sports, particularly chipped and broken teeth. If this happens to you and your child, carefully handle it by the crown, rinse it with water without scrubbing, and place it back in its socket or a container with milk. Bring the tooth with you when you go to your emergency dental visit.
Use a Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinses are helpful in preparing for emergency dental care. If you have profuse bleeding from your gums, it can help bring it under control temporarily. Such a rinse can help when you have a broken or chipped tooth as well. When you have a throbbing toothache, it can also bring you temporary relief.
Avoid Biting
During a dental emergency, you may have tooth fragments or profuse bleeding. Try to refrain from eating solid food until you can see your dentist. After all, you don’t want to inadvertently bite down on the painful tooth. If you can’t get emergency care immediately and have to wait a day or so, stick with soft food or chew on the side away from the affected tooth.
It can be scary dealing with dental trauma. After all, you don’t want to lose your tooth or have it become chipped or cracked. It can be even worse when dealing with throbbing pain that keeps you awake. When you need emergency dental care in Las Vegas, our team at Hudson Family Dental can help, so call us anytime.