Dental emergencies can be scary to think about, but it’s important to prepare for any situation. You should always contact Dental Solutions of Columbus whenever you think you may have an emergency, but here’s some helpful advice for what to do in specific situations.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, try to put the tooth back in place without touching the root. If that’s not possible, make sure to keep the tooth moist by putting the tooth in milk or placing it in between your cheek and gums. Once the tooth is safe, call our office immediately. The sooner you return the tooth to its socket, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
Chipped Tooth
Be sure to save any pieces of a chipped or broken tooth, and then rinse your mouth using warm water. You can also rinse any pieces of the tooth in warm water to clean it off. Apply a cold compress to your face to keep the swelling down. Call us to be seen right away.
Toothache
While you may be tempted to ride out the pain of a toothache, think again! You want to handle the problem and call us as soon as possible. Before you come in to see us, rinse your mouth with warm water, and floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Don’t put aspirin near the tooth or gums as it could burn the gum tissue.
Lost Filling or Crown
Again, call us immediately (are you sensing a pattern here?). If you’ve lost a filling and are waiting to see us, place a piece of sugarless chewing gum into the cavity as a temporary fix. For a lost crown accompanied by pain, use a cotton swab to apply some clove oil. If possible, place the crown back over the tooth using an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive. It should not have to be said, but definitely do not use super glue!
Abscess
Abscesses are infections at the root of a tooth or in between the teeth and the gums. They can damage tissue surrounding the teeth and infect the rest of the body if left untreated. Once again, call us as soon as you think you might have an abscess, which look like a pimple-like swelling on your gum. To ease the pain in the meantime, rinse your mouth with mild salt water several times a day.
Don’t hesitate to call us the minute a dental emergency occurs. The sooner you call Dental Solutions of Columbus, the sooner we can see you, and the sooner your dental emergency will be solved!
Contact us right away if you experience a dental emergency, so we can help!