An elderly Caucasian woman sits at home, touching her cheek and grimacing in pain. She appears to be suffering from a severe toothache or jaw discomfort.
When you have a tooth that is damaged in a sports accident, or if one begins to hurt suddenly, then you should contact our team for treatment. Otherwise, the damage, even a minor chip, could leave your tooth exposed to tooth decay and infection! In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about our approach to emergency dentistry.
A dental emergency involves any injury or pain on the teeth and gums that isn’t life threatening, but still requires immediate attention. Examples include sudden toothaches, objects caught between the teeth that floss cannot remove, and cracked or chipped teeth. A tooth that is knocked loose or out is an example of a dental emergency, as is a loose or missing filling or crown, or a damaged dental prosthetic or orthodontic appliance. Don’t ignore these issues, even if they occur outside of normal business hours. Give us a call and we will reach out with a time to see you or your family member quickly, so we can safeguard your smile and stop discomfort.
You could also take steps to ease discomfort before you see our team. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease discomfort, and use a cold compress or ice pack to control facial swelling. Any bleeding can be stemmed with cloth or gauze, and you should gather any pieces of damaged teeth and bring them with you if possible. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown only, never touch the root. Rinse away foreign debris under gently running water, but don’t remove any tissues. Place it in a sealed container of milk or salt water and bring it with you to the office.
Our team can restore knocked out teeth to their proper position, and restore damage with bonding or even a custom crown. If a restoration or prosthetic has been damaged, we can replace it. To help limit the risk of future injuries, you should talk to our team about a custom mouthguard, which provides greater protection than standard boil-and-bite options, and helps limit injuries when you play full contact sports.
If you have any questions about treating dental emergencies, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to safeguard your smile!
We want to help you enjoy better oral health and also avoid the risks of a damaged tooth! For more information on addressing sudden dental damage or unexplained discomfort, then schedule an appointment with Dr. Smith and our team by calling Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, today at (972) 262-5111.
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