When faced with a medical emergency, most people know exactly what to do - call their regular doctor if they have one, or go to the emergency room for treatment, depending on the severity of the problem. And while many people have a dentist they trust and have visited for years, the nature of dental work makes it so that appointments are typically planned, sometimes weeks or even months in advance.
However when faced with a dental emergency, many people find themselves at a loss of where to go and what to do. Just like a medical emergency, it is important to treat dental trauma and other problems in a timely manner in order to avoid complications and risk permanent damage.
Dental Emergency Treatment in Flower Mound, Texas
One of the most common dental problems to require emergency care is sudden tooth loss or breaks, usually caused by trauma or a fall. Although dental accidents are not generally life threatening, getting immediate care from a dentist is necessary in order to help preserve the tooth and the smile's overall appearance. Even small breaks can cause nerve injuries through bacteria build up in the soft pulp inside the tooth, potentially resulting in permanent damage if left untreated. A tooth fracture that might seem to be little more than a cosmetic problem can sometimes actually need a root canal to prevent infection and nerve damage.
Other types of dental emergencies include:
- Inflammation
- Bacterial infection
- Abscess
- Loose tooth
- Knocked out tooth
- Cuts and lacerations to the gums, tongue, lips, and cheeks
Of course, there are also things you can do to ease pain, swelling and discomfort before you head to our office. After all, we understand how uncomfortable these issues can be and being able to provide yourself with temporary relief is important.
- Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to reduce swelling or pain.
- Apply an ice pack to the affected side to also target pain and inflammation.
- If you have a knocked-out tooth make sure to clean the tooth with warm water and, if possible, try to place it back into the socket. Always handle a tooth by the crown. If you can’t get the tooth back into the socket then place it in a container filled with milk and immediately come into our office.
- If you have broken off a large piece of your tooth it might be able to be bonded back onto your tooth. Save any of these pieces by placing them in a hard protective carrier and bringing them into our office immediately.
- You can also use over-the-counter analgesics like Orajel® to temporarily numb sore, throbbing or painful area.
Dr Laura Barge, DDS is an emergency Dentist in the the Flower Mound, TX area. Call us at (972) 539-3800 if you are experiencing a dental emergency!
