An emergency scenario…The children are playing in the playroom and all of a sudden your son comes running out of the room crying. He has hit his front teeth on another child’s head and one of his permanent teeth has been knocked out. He is all bloody and carrying his tooth in his hand. One of the parents tells you to put the tooth in a glass of cows’s milk. Does this seem like an old wive’s tale??? It is not. One thing you do know is that you need to do is get him to an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Dental emergencies happen. Keep your dentist on speed dial just in case one of these emergencies happen to you or your family. We would like to give you a few solution to a few common dental emergencies and how to handle them.
Knocked Out Tooth
When a tooth gets knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root) gently rinse with water and try to gently push it back into the socket. If this isn’t possible , place it in a glass of milk and call your dentist
A Toothache
What you can do if you have a toothache, it’s important to figure out what’s at the root of your discomfort. From there, you can determine how to best relieve any pain, swelling, or other symptoms. It can be caused by tooth decay, infection, tooth eruption , an abnormal bite, or trauma to the tooth. A regular salt water rinse and cold compress application can typically remedy minor irritation, but more serious toothaches may require a dentist’s intervention. If your symptoms persist for more than a day or two, see your dentist. They can provide guidance on how to relieve your symptoms and prevent future pain.
Crown or Filling Falling Out
Crowns falling off while eating or drinking are a common concern and we’ve heard anything from coffee, to sandwiches, to Twizzlers, to nuts being the culprit. When your crown fall out wipe the crown clean, wrap it in a clean cloth and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Chipped or Fractured Tooth
Chipped and fractured teeth do not always hurt, but the nerves can get damaged if you wait to get care. If your tooth has a small chip and a jagged edge, you can apply dental wax over the edge to keep it from slicing your tongue or damaging your mouth. Avoid chewing on the side with the damaged tooth, and try flossing around the tooth to reduce pressure and irritation. Even if you do not have pain it is wise to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Tooth Concussion
The AAE explains that when the periodontal ligaments that hold a tooth in place are injured, but the tooth is neither displaced nor movable, the luxation is described as a concussion. A concussed tooth is usually tender when tapped. When that little guy hits his tooth on another child’ s head and it doesn’t fall out the trauma might cause a discolored tooth.
A Few Things to Help Avoid Dental Emergencies
- Wear a mouth guard when participating in sports
- Brush and Floss Daily
- Do not use your teeth to open things or chew very hard food ( like hard candy)
- Make sure you remain well hydrated.This may seem elementary, but lots of people don’t drink enough water. Your body needs plenty of water so it can produce enough saliva to maintain oral health.
Contact us (859) 586-7900 for more information or to make an appointment!
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About Torbeck Dental
About Torbeck DentalTorbeck Dental treats every patient with dignity and excellent care. We are highly-trained dental professionals with exceptionally friendly and helpful service. We understand that for many, visiting a dentist can be a stressful experience so our comfortable surroundings and compassionate staff will ease any fears you may have. We are here to help you achieve your happiest and healthiest smile! Our dental team are a group experienced professionals using the latest treatments. Our team has the professional experience to realize that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all treatment, so we never use a one-size-fits-all approach to your dental plan. We provide quality and personalized oral health care while keeping your individuality in mind. Our goal is to improve and maintain your oral health so you can smile with confidence!