What does an emergency dentist do?
An emergency dentist treats dental and mouth injuries that need immediate attention. Emergency dentistry situations usually involve saving knocked-out or broken teeth, or treating forms of facial trauma.
Visiting Gentling Smiles as soon as you can after your injury, preferably within 30 minutes, could mean the difference between saving and losing your injured tooth.
What is considered a dental emergency?
It's a good idea to seek immediate emergency dental care whenever you or a family member are suffering from a severe oral injury or other excruciating condition. Common dental emergency situations include:
- Knocked-out teeth
- A loose permanent tooth
- Severe tooth or mouth pain
- Bleeding inside your mouth from your cheeks, tongue, or gums
- An injury to your mouth or face
- Swelling in your tongue, gums, or mouth
- A badly cracked or broken tooth
- A laceration or tear on your lips
You may not be dealing with a dental emergency if you chip a tooth but it doesn't appear as if you'll lose the tooth entirely.
That said, feel free to contact the team at Gentling Smiles if you're concerned. They can explain how to take care of your tooth until you can make it into the office.
How should I handle a knocked-out tooth?
Quick action is imperative for a dental emergency like a knocked-out tooth. Put off going to the dentist, and you may be at risk of losing the tooth.
In this situation, clean both the injured tooth and inside your mouth. Rinse your mouth and tooth with lukewarm water. Do your best to avoid touching the tooth's roots.
Hold the tooth by the crown (the smooth white top part) as you rinse it. If it's possible, place the tooth back in your mouth and into the gum where it was knocked out.
Bite down softly on a gauze pad to hold the tooth in place until you can get to Gentling Smiles. Call the office right away, or have someone call for you who can explain the situation.
What if you can't put the tooth back in your mouth?
The goal is to keep the tooth moist at all times. Put it in a cup of milk or in your mouth next to your cheek to help preserve it until you arrive at the dental office.
Don't let a broken tooth prevent you from enjoying your smile. Call Gentling Smiles for same-day appointments and expert treatment in a dental emergency.
