Knowing what to do in an emergency situation allows you to stay calm and focus on what you need to do. You should have a plan for urgent smile situations, even if you do your best to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Injury to your pearly whites, lips, or gums, can happen at any time, and having a plan can help ensure that the problem can be treated promptly. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, emergency dentistry team explains what to do if you experience a tooth-related injury.
Know What Can Wait, And What Should Be Treated Promptly
As a general rule, if you have suffered trauma to your mouth or you are experiencing long lasting discomfort, you should visit your dentist for an emergency appointment. Injuries like an infected tooth, fracture, or knocked out tooth, should be examined as soon as possible so that they do not worsen. Other situations, such as a new cavity or minor sensitivity around your teeth, do not need to be seen on the same day the develop. However, you should still visit your dentist for a checkup as usual and bring these less urgent concerns up to them so they can be treated.
Stay Calm And Assess Your Injury
Remember to stay calm if you or a family member is experiencing an urgent dental health situation. This will allow you to follow your dentist’s instructions and get the care you need. Assess the type of injury that has occurred and call your dentist for a same day visit. The team may be able to instruct you to take over-the-counter pain relievers in the meantime, or place gauze around the area until you can come in. If you have knocked out one of your pearly whites, clean it and keep it in a bag if you are able to do so. You can have a friend or family member drive you to your appointment so that you can remain focused on the situation.
Our Team Will Help Restore Your Smile
When you come in for your appointment, the injury will be thoroughly examined, and your dentist will create a helpful treatment plan to help recover the area. In many cases, your tooth may be restored with the help of a filling, root canal, dental crown, or other option. If the damage is more severe, extracting it may be the best option to protect the rest of your smile. It will gently be removed and can later be replaced with an implant, dentures, or other prosthetics in the future.
Call Us When You Need Urgent Smile Care
Dr. Browne’s team in Prairie Village, KS, is here for you if you break a tooth or experience an injury to your smile. To schedule an appointment with us, call 913-901-8585.