A dental emergency rarely happens at a convenient time. But then again, is there ever a convenient time to crack, chip, or knock out a tooth? What happens after you sustain an injury, what should you do? In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about who to respond properly to a dental emergency.
Responding to Your Injury
First, don’t panic. If there is bleeding, you can use a piece of cloth or gauze to control it. If a tooth is chipped, see if you can recover any pieces and bring them with you to the office. But if this isn’t possible, we can still repair your tooth. Consider a cold compress or ice pack to the side of the face to control swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If a tooth is knocked out completely, then pick it up by the crown, never touch the root, and place it in a sealed container of milk or salt water. You should bring this with you to the office!
Calling Our Office
Call us even if the injury happens outside of normal business hours. Our team will call you back with an appointment time so we can start treatment right away. Our team will examine the area with advanced digital imaging, and then plan repair. For minor chips, we could use composite resin to restore the tooth in only one sitting. If you have more substantial damage, then our team may consider a dental crown. We can return a knocked-out tooth to its place in your smile.
Taking Preventive Actions
If you or a member of your family plays full contact posts, then consider an athletic mouthguard. We can offer a custom-made option that provides a better layer of protection than your standard boil-and-bite options. This helps limit the risk of cracked, chipped, or knocked-out teeth. You should also take care to brush and floss daily, limit sugar consumption, and see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months. These actions help protect teeth from tooth decay, so they stay strong and less vulnerable to injury.
If you have any questions about the proper response to an injured tooth, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy strong and healthy smiles!
Schedule a Dental Emergency Visit with Dr. Browne, D.D.S. In Prairie Village!
We want to help you avoid the complications of an untreated injury, so you can enjoy a full and beautiful smile. We can also discuss custom mouthguards! To find out more about how to respond to a serious injury or sudden pain in your smiles, call Dr. Browne’s office in Prairie Village, KS at 913-901-8585 today.