When you have a dental emergency, such as chipped or broken teeth, you need to contact our office right away. But what happens next? You can take action to help protect smiles and limit your initial discomfort. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about how to respond to common dental emergencies.
Damaged Teeth
When a tooth is chipped, you should try and recover any pieces to bring with you. If this isn’t possible, don’t worry, we can still repair the tooth. Rinse with warm water and use cloth/gauze to stem any bleeding. To control facial swelling, use an ice pack or a cold compress. If the tooth is cracked, you also need to see us right away. In fact, if you sustain an injury to your face or jaw and no damage is visible, consider an appointment as fractures are often practically invisible to the naked eye. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Knocked Out Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out completely, don’t panic! Instead, pick it up by the crown, never touch the root. Try to rinse away any dirt and debris under gently running water, but be sure to leave any tissues in place. Put the tooth in a sealed container of milk or salt water, and then bring it with you. You can also rinse with warm water and use cloth to control bleeding, and a cold compress to handle facial swelling. Taking a pain reliever is also recommended.
Objects Caught Between Teeth
What if an object is caught between your teeth, and you cannot remove it with floss? Don’t use anything other than floss to try and dislodge it, as this could lead to damaged teeth or gums. Instead, see us right away!
Call Our Office
When your dental emergency occurs, be sure you call us right away. Even if this happens outside of normal business hours, call us and leave a message. Our team will reach out to you soon with a time to see you for an appointment. With options like bonding and crowns, we can repair damage with lifelike results. Our team can also restore a knocked-out tooth to its proper place in your smile.
If you have any questions about how to handle your dental emergency in the immediate aftermath, or if you want to schedule a visit to repair a tooth, then contact our team today.
Learn More About Dental Emergency Care
Our team wants to provide treatment to address damaged teeth and help keep your smile in good health and function. To schedule your next appointment with our team for emergency treatment, just contact Robert M. Browne DDS in Prairie Village, KS by calling (913) 901-8585.