Dental emergencies should be treated right away, which is why we want you to contact us right away! In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about what to do when a tooth is knocked loose, or knocked out completely. With the right steps, you can save your tooth and ease discomfort.
Don’t Ignore Your Dental Emergency
When you sustain a dental emergency, such as a cracked or chipped tooth, knocked out tooth, or an object caught between teeth that floss cannot remove, you need to see us right away. Often, even seemingly minor chips could increase the risk of tooth decay and dental infection. You should call our team right away. If we are open, then we will try to see you same-day for treatment. If this happens outside normal business hours, then still call us and leave a message. We can reach out with possible appointment times, so we can see you quickly and offer treatment to repair your tooth.
Responding Right Away
Our team also has a few tips for immediate response, so you can ease discomfort and prevent complications. First, rinse with warm water and then try to stem the bleeding with cloth or gauze. Placing a cold compress or ice pack to the side of the face can control swelling. You can floss on either side of the trapped object to try and dislodge, but don’t use anything but floss, as you risk damaging gums and teeth.
You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever as well. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown portion, don’t touch the root, and place it in a glass of salt water or milk. Bring it with you to the office!
Seeing Our Team
Our team will conduct a dental exam right away to assess the severity of your injury, so we can plan treatment with precision. For minor damage, we could repair the tooth in one sitting with a dental bonding procedure. If you have more substantial damage, we could create a custom crown to bring relief and safeguard your smile. We could also discuss custom mouthguards to protect your smile from injury down the road.
If you have any questions about how to respond to a dental anxiety, or when to contact our team for care, then give our office a call. We look forward to seeing you and helping you on your path to a bright, healthy, and beautiful smile.
Learn More About Our Approach to Emergency Dentistry
Our team wants to offer treatment to address serious injuries, such as a knocked-out tooth. To schedule your next appointment for dental repair, just contact Robert M. Browne DDS in Prairie Village, KS by calling (913) 901-8585.