Do you know what constitutes a dental emergency? If not, then how do you know when to see us to avoid major pain or even infection down the road? In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about how to recognize trouble and a few examples of dental emergencies!
Damaged Teeth
If a tooth is chipped or broken, even if the damage appears minor, you need to see our team right away. Even if you sustain an injury and no damage is visible, consider an appointment as fractures could be involved to the naked eye. You should call us right away and if you reach us during our normal operating hours, we will try to see you same-day. If you reach us when we are closed, then leave a message and we will reach out quickly with possible appointment times.
In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, and use cloth or gauze to control any bleeding. A cold compress against the side of your face can reduce facial swelling. If a tooth is broken, see if you can recover any pieces and bring them with you to the office in a sealed container.
Loose and Missing Teeth
If a tooth is loose, then again use cloth or gauze to stem bleeding, and let us know right away. If a tooth is knocked out, then pick it up only by the crown portion, don’t touch the root! You can gently rinse the tooth under running water to remove dirt and foreign debris, but take care to keep any tissues intact. You can return the tooth to the socket and gently bite down to keep it in place, or put it in a sealed container of milk or salt water. Bring it with you to the office. Our team will return it to your bite!
Sudden Discomfort
If your tooth starts to hurt suddenly then gently floss on either side of the tooth and rinse with warm water. If this fails to ease discomfort or dislodge trapped particles, then let us know. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, and try to avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks, as the tooth could be very sensitive.
If you have any questions about how our team will treat dental emergencies, or if you find yourself facing a situation like one of these and need help then reach out to our team today to learn more!
Let’s Treat Your Dental Emergency
We can help treat the source of your discomfort and spare your smile from major complications. Contact Robert M. Browne DDS in Prairie Village, KS by calling (913) 901-8585 for our earliest appointment time. We proudly serve patients in surrounding communities and welcome your call.