When things go wrong, having a plan of action can mean the difference between disaster and saving the day. Responding to an emergency quickly and calmly means you have the best chance at a good outcome. This is especially true of dental emergencies. The difference between saving your tooth and losing it could be a matter of minutes.
Knocked-out Tooth
If your tooth gets knocked out, keeping the nerve alive is imperative. If it is exposed to the outside air, the nerve quickly dies. If it has fallen to the ground, take a moment to gently rinse it off. Once it is clean, see if you can place it back into the socket. Don’t force it in, but keeping it in place is one of the best ways to contain it until you can see Dr. Naysan.
If you can’t get it into the socket, it still needs to remain protected from the outside air. You can store it inside your mouth, between your cheek and your gums. Another option is to place it in milk. Never store it in water!
You will need to call our office right away if you lose a tooth. There is a limited window of time in which that tooth can be restored. If more than 30 minutes passes, the chances of the tooth surviving are extremely low. Call Bedford Dental Group as soon as possible to make an emergency appointment.
Chipped/Cracked Tooth
Depending on the extent of the damage, a chipped or cracked tooth may be sensitive. Pressure, hot or cold sensations, and even sweet or acidic foods can all aggravate the nerves that have been exposed to outside elements. Take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help you relax until you can come into the office. If you cannot get in to see us immediately, you may want to protect the tooth with orthodontic wax or even sugar-free gum.
The sooner you come in, the better it will be. Leaving it will not only be painful, but can allow the problem to get worse. Leaving the interior of the tooth exposed opens you up to infection, which can lead to the need for a root canal in the future.
Crown or Filling Fell Out
Finding your crown or your filling in your mouth or seeing it in your hand can be alarming. If this happens, call the office right away. You can cover the hole left by a filling with orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to protect against sensitivity. If you have the crown, try to place it back over the tooth. If you cannot get an immediate appointment, you may want to use temporary cement to hold it in place. This can be purchased from a pharmacy or grocery store. In a pinch, sugar-free gum can be used to hold it in place as well.
If you swallowed the crown or filling, don’t panic. Call our office and explain the issue. We can fabricate a new crown to replace it.
Don’t wait too long to take care of this. While it may not seem as big an emergency as these other situations, your tooth will be exposed to damage and decay until the restoration can be replaced.
It’s always best to be prepared for emergencies. Putting together a dental emergency kit can help you get through any sort of accident until you can get professional care. Remember, any kind of pain or sensitivity in your teeth is not a good thing and should be addressed as soon as possible. If you think something is wrong, contact our office to make an emergency appointment today.
