emergency dentistry

What to do in an Emergency

If left untreated for too long, serious dental injuries can lead to painful and dangerous infection. That’s why the most important thing to do when you suffer a dental injury is to contact your dentist. We make time for emergencies, and will see you as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are a few steps you can take to better the situation:

• Relieve the Pain
  The mouth is a particularly sensitive area, so injuries to this part of the body tend to be very painful. Take ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and ease the pain. You can use ice on the outside of the mouth as well. Just don’t put ice inside your mouth or directly on the oral injury.

• Loose Teeth
  Take loose teeth seriously as they could result in infection and severe pain. Avoid touching or wiggling the tooth, and make an appointment with your doctor immediately. Sterile gauze can help you hold it in place if you’re worried it might fall out. If it was not an injury that caused the tooth to loosen, you could have a more serious dental issue, like periodontal disease.

• Knocked Out Teeth
  The first thing you should do is find your tooth! Rinse it with warm water and place it back in its socket. If you can’t place it in the socket, keep it in a sealed container with your own saliva or milk. Don’t let it dry out! Use sterile gauze and pressure to stop any bleeding, and give Dreier Family Dental a call. Dr. Dreier can save your original tooth, or provide alternatives to get you smiling again.

• Cracked, Broken or Chipped Teeth
  Use sterile gauze and pressure to stop bleeding. Avoid eating and drinking as your injury is likely sensitive to hot and cold substances. And make an appointment to see the dentist immediately. You don’t have to deal with a dental injury for days. In fact, you should see Dr. Dreier within 12 hours of sustaining the injury.— Quote Source