Emergency Dental Treatment and Your Health
Injuries and accidents that affect your mouth can result in permanent tooth loss. Tooth loss can affect your appearance and your ability to perform your at-home oral health routine. Whether it is a tooth that falls out or root damage, seeking immediate treatment can prevent long-term problems. If you have a dental emergency Square One Health Group can assist you and provide appropriate treatment quickly and efficiently.
Chipped, Cracked or Fractured Teeth
Common dental injuries include cracked, broken, or knocked out teeth. Injuries can come from biting on a piece of food that is too hard, a sports-related injury, or any other type of accident. A cracked or fractured tooth may mean that damage has occurred on the inside of the tooth as well as the outside. An x-ray will be needed to diagnose the condition of your tooth properly. If the pulp is damaged, then you may need a root canal. If the pulp is not afflicted then you may only need a crown. Call us immediately and follow these steps:
- Apply a cold compress to the area to minimize swelling
- Clean your mouth out gently by rinsing with warm water
- Take acetaminophen, not aspirin, according to the package directions to help with the pain
- Knocked-Out Tooth
If appropriate emergency steps are taken after having a tooth knocked out there is a very good chance the tooth can be reinserted and preserved by our dental team. Getting to the office quickly is critical for saving the knocked-out tooth. The longer you wait, the less chance you have of the tooth remaining savable. Once the tooth is out, it is essential to follow these steps:
- Do not touch the roots of the tooth, only the top crown
- Gently rinse the tooth off without scrubbing off any remaining tissue
- Carefully place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place while gently trying to bite down
- If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket, put it in a small container of milk to transport it
Facial Pain or Tissue Injury
Dental emergencies can also involve puncture wounds, lacerations, and tears to the cheeks, lips, tongue and mouth. With any emergency of this type, it is important to clean the area as soon as possible with warm water. Gently apply pressure to any area that is bleeding and get to an oral surgeon or hospital emergency room as soon as possible.
Square One Health Group Can Help Treat and Prevent Dental Emergencies
Many dental emergencies can be avoided by getting routine checkups to make sure your teeth and mouth are strong, healthy, and free from decay. Wear a mouth guard during any sports activities to avoid teeth being chipped, broken, or knocked out. Dental emergencies can happen at any time and the best thing you can do is don’t panic and be prepared.