A dental emergency is an acute medical emergency affecting your teeth or gums.
You are experiencing a dental emergency if you have any of these symptoms:
- Moderate or intense pain in the teeth or gums
- Any change to the surface or shape of teeth other than a small chip
- Any looseness or loss of a tooth in adults
- Dental bleeding other than by incidental gum irritation (when brushing)
If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms that make it impossible to wait for a regular dental appointment, you have an emergency. While many dental emergencies are not life-threatening, treatment can have permanent repercussions for your dental health.
Here’s what to do in a dental emergency.
1. Stay Calm
First things first, don’t panic. The key in any dental emergency is speed, so you need to stay focused. It’s important to find a dentist within two hours of a dental emergency, especially if you’ve lost a tooth.
2. Call Coscarella Family Dentistry
Having a trusted emergency dentist in your cell phone will make things easier. At Coscarella Family Dentistry, we have more than 30 years of experience. We’re open six days a week at two convenient locations.
3. Clean the Tooth
If you’re missing a tooth, gently rinse it with warm water to remove any dirt and debris. Don’t rub it with a cloth and don’t do anything to remove any soft tissue that might still be attached to it.
4. Preserve the Tooth Safely
The best way to preserve a damaged tooth is to place it inside a cup of cool milk. The calcium in the milk helps protect the root and enamel. A children’s sippy cup will help you avoid any spills.
5. Manage Bleeding and Swelling
Use a cold compress to reduce any immediate swelling or bleeding. A bag of frozen peas or other vegetables can be used for this purpose while you are en route to the dentist. If it’s safe to do so take anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil.
6. Practice Transit Safety
Leave for the dentist as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to get there. If possible, get someone else to drive you: Treatment may require sedation, which makes it impossible to drive afterwards.
If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait. Contact Coscarella Family Dentistry right now.