A dental emergency is nothing to take lightly. These situations can land you in immense pain, and if you don’t seek prompt professional care, your oral and overall health could suffer long-term consequences. That’s why it is so important to know what to do when you find yourself in one of these frightening circumstances. Here is some insightful advice from your dentist in Ann Arbor to help you handle your dental emergency.
Is It a True Emergency?
The first key to successfully handling a dental emergency is to identify the situation for what it is. Here are some of the most common oral health problems that require urgent care:
- A fully or partially dislodged tooth
- A severe toothache
- Jaw injuries
- Excessive bleeding in the mouth
- A lost or damaged crown or filling
- A broken tooth
- A dental abscess
If you are ever unsure if your dental problem constitutes an emergency, play it on the safe side and call your emergency dentist in Ann Arbor to ask for advice.
Getting Professional Help
When you call your dentist, describe your situation in as much detail as possible, and closely follow the dentist’s instructions on what you should do next. In some cases, such as if you are bleeding excessively or if you injured your jaw, they may tell you to head to the local emergency room. In most dental emergencies, however, they’ll do their best to schedule an appointment for you within the next day or two.
Seeing your dentist right away is particularly important if one of your teeth got knocked out. If you are careful to preserve the tooth by handling it gently (touch it only by the top part) and keeping it moist in a glass of milk or water, it is possible that your dentist will be able to reattach it.
A dental abscess is another problem that requires immediate attention. If you delay treatment and the infection spreads beyond your tooth, you could become seriously ill.
Caring for Your Mouth
Before you get to your dentist’s office, you may be able to take a few measures to lessen your pain and minimize the damage to your oral health.
- Mild over the counter painkillers could mitigate your discomfort. In order to avoid chemical burns, don’t place the medicine directly on your gums.
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that is suffering.
- In most cases, you should be able to continue brushing and flossing the painful area, but you may have to be a bit gentler than usual.
- If you lost a crown, you may be able to temporarily reattach it so your tooth has at least some protection while you’re waiting for your dental appointment.
Hopefully, you never have to suffer a dental emergency, but if you do, please take quick action to get professional care and protect your smile.
About the Author
Dr. Dina Cocco has been practicing dentistry in the Ann Arbor area for almost 30 years. Her extensive experience and education equip her to treat a broad range of dental emergencies, so if you ever find that your mouth is in sudden distress, contact our office right away at 734-668-8636. We’re here to help!