How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

From getting a tooth knocked out to developing an abscess, there are times when dental emergencies happen. Knowing how to handle common dental emergencies can often mean the difference between a simple fix at the dentist’s office and more involved reconstructive surgery. Keep reading to learn the right way to react to dental trauma, infection, or other unforeseen situations:

Call Your Dentist

Your dentist will have the best, most accurate advice for a dental emergency. He or she can help you decide if you need immediate treatment or if your condition can wait a few days. Your dentist can also give you advice about what to do in the meantime.

Follow Your Dentist’s Advice

Once you have instructions from your dentist, it’s important to follow them. Here’s a list of frequent emergencies and advice:

• Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water, and save any pieces of the tooth. Apply a cold compress to the area. See your dentist as soon as possible.

• Knocked-out tooth: Carefully rinse the tooth, and if possible, place it back in the socket. If you can’t, put the tooth in a glass of milk. You’ll want to get to the dentist as soon as you can, in order to save the tooth.

• Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water, and make sure no food is caught between your teeth.

• Lost filling: Use a piece of sugar-free gum to cover the area.

• Abscess: Rinse with a mild saltwater solution, and see your dentist or doctor. An abscess is an infection that can spread to other parts of your body if left untreated.

Take Palliative Measures

Pain often comes with a dental emergency. Your dentist can help you based on your specific condition, but in general, it’s good to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease the pain. Cold compresses may also help.

Dental health requires collaboration between dentists and patients. At Charles M. Marks, D.D.S. and Dental Associates, we promise to do our part. Our dental team is committed to providing expert dental services to Manhattan residents. To learn more, call our office at (212) 279-1232.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician.