EMERGENCY
Dental emergencies are quite frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.
If there is severe pain, it is essential to contact our office immediately. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize.
What Should You Do?
In case you have an dental emergency- DON'T PANIC!!!
Learn how to deal with some emergencies and remember we are always here to assist you.
If you find yourself in need of emergency dental care, give us a call and have Dr. Holina or Dr. Jacobs see you or get a phone consultation. We will make sure to see you immediately and stop the pain as soon as possible and set up a treatment plan that will solve the problem once and for all.
At Designs in Dentistry we pride ourselves for always taking care of our patients. No matter if you are a new or established patient, we will be here to help 24/7 to make sure you get the treatment you deserve. Below you will find our EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS.
Dental Emergencies
Tooth knocked out
If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.
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What To Do
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Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
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If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
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If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
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Call our office.
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Get to our office, quickly and safely.
We will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy might be necessary.
Lost Filling or Crown
Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.
If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that we can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.
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What To Do
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Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
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Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
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If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
We will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.
Cracked or Broken Teeth
The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks. If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.
What to Do
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Call our office.
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Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
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Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
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Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
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Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.
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Take a topical pain reliever.
The nature of the break or fracture will limit what we are able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth. In the case of a complete break, your dentist will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.
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Dislodged/ loose teeth
When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.
It is important to call our office immediately to make an appointment. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required.
If you have questions or concerns about dental emergencies, please contact our office.
You have your own reasons for wanting to smile and laugh openly and we want to help.
Call Designs in Dentistry in Folsom today!