A dental emergency involves any damage to the smile, such as cracks, chips, or even avulsed (knocked-out) teeth. You should see your Newhall, CA, dentist as soon as possible for treatment, which can help you avoid major oral health complications. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at what you can do to reduce discomfort in between your injury and when you see us for treatment.
Don’t Ignore Dental Damage!
Remember, even minor damage could compromise the protective outer layer of tooth enamel, which means harmful bacteria can now reach the sensitive and porous layers of dentin. A cavity then forms, one that will grow more severe with time and eventually, increase the risk of an infection or abscess. Don’t let the health of your tooth suffer, and don’t endure painful toothaches and tooth sensitivity. When you sustain an injury, let us know. Sometimes fractures may be invisible to the naked eye, so a quick exam can let us know if you need treatment. In addition, wearing a mouthguard when you play sports can go long way towards protecting smiles from cracks, chips, and avulsed teeth.
Cracked or Chipped Teeth
If you crack or chip a tooth, then please contact our team right away. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water and if you can, recover any pieces of your tooth and bring them to the office with you. A cold compress or ice pack against the side of your face can help control swelling, and a pain reliever can ease discomfort. You may need cloth or a bit of gauze to stem the bleeding. Fortunately, we can often repair minor chips in one visit with cosmetic dental bonding. We also have crowns for addressing more substantial damage.
Avulsed Teeth
What if a tooth is knocked loose completely? First, don’t panic! Pick the tooth up by the crown, or the visible portion, never touch the roots. You can try to rinse away dirt and foreign debris, but take care not to lose any tissue. Place the tooth in a glass of milk or salt water. You can also place the tooth back into the socket and gently bite down to secure it. Bring it to the office with you. If the tooth is knocked loose but doesn’t fall out, avoid eating and don’t put pressure on the tooth, instead see us quickly! If you have any questions about responding to common dental emergencies, feel free to contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Emergency Dentistry?
Don’t ignore that damaged tooth or persistent ache in your smile, let us know so we can offer a solution. To learn more about our approach to dental emergencies, then please schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.