Keeping a same-day emergency dentist’s contact information on hand is important. You never know when you’ll have a dental emergency. Here, we cover some of the most common reasons to visit a same-day emergency dentist.
Remember that if you have a medical or dental and medical emergency overlap, always call your local emergency provider and visit an emergency room as soon as possible. Once your medical emergency is taken care of, you can always see a dentist for your dental emergency.
1. Loss of an Adult Tooth
If you have an adult tooth knocked out, it’s important to preserve the tooth as long as possible until you can get to an emergency dentist. Make sure to put the tooth in an ADA-approved tooth-saving product when possible. Store the tooth in the socket without touching the root if you do not have a tooth preservation product. If neither of these is possible, you can store the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums or in milk.
You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling on your way to the dentist and may take over-the-counter medications for pain where applicable. Follow all bottle instructions and let your dentist know what medications you’ve taken upon arrival.
2. Chipped or Cracked Tooth
If your tooth chips, try and find the chipped piece and store it like an adult tooth (in the mouth, in milk, or an ADA-approved tooth preservation product). To prevent infection, use warm water to rinse the mouth immediately after cracking or chipping a tooth. You can use a cold compress to keep the swelling down on your way to a same-day emergency dentist.
Be sure to visit your dentist as soon as possible, and always avoid chewing on popcorn kernels, ice, or other hard substances to prevent cracking your teeth.
3. Dental Infection
If you have severe dental pain, such as an ache that doesn’t go away, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling, redness, pus, or other signs of infection, you should contact your dentist immediately. You can use warm water to rinse your mouth and dental floss to remove any stuck food. Never put crushed aspirin on your gums or mouth tissue; this is not an approved treatment method. You can, however, take over-the-counter medication as prescribed for pain management on your way to the dentist.
4. Stuck Item
Never use a fork or object to remove things stuck in your mouth or teeth. You can try removing items using dental floss. Never use sharp, pointed objects to try and remove things from your teeth. However, if you cannot remove an object alone, it’s time to visit your dentist.
5. Mouth or Tongue Injury
Trauma to your mouth, jaw, teeth, or tongue is why you visit your same-day emergency dentist. You can clean visible wounds with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. For serious injuries that require medical intervention, contact your local emergency department.
If you’re looking for same-day dental emergency care or want to schedule an appointment, contact Bright Value Dental at (713) 668-1600. We look forward to hearing from you.