While it is hard to feel calm after hurting your tooth, the availability of emergency dental work can make your experience less concerning. At our Katy, TX dentist’s office, we are ready to see patients who are in need of treatment as soon as possible because of pain, dental damage, or even the loss of a tooth. While emergency care can help you avoid complications after an injury, it should be acknowledged that certain behaviors can actually make complications more likely. If you are not careful to protect the tooth after it is hurt, or if you delay an appointment, you can do more harm and increase your discomfort!
Putting Pressure On A Chipped Or Cracked Tooth
It may feel necessary to put some pressure on a chipped or cracked tooth if you are trying to control bleeding or swelling, or if you are trying to manage pain. Make sure you are careful to apply that pressure gently in order to avoid doing further harm. If you are applying ice or a cold compress, do so gingerly. If you are trying to control bleeding, carefully apply a clean cloth or gauze to the area in question. The sooner you see your dentist for restorative work, the sooner this problem can be addressed so that it no longer requires your own first aid.
Mishandling A Dislodged Tooth
There is a limited time where a tooth can be returned to its socket and restored. If the tooth is properly handled, and you bring the matter up with your dentist as soon as possible, there is a greater chance you can preserve your full smile and not require prosthetic dental work. However, you can compromise your ability to receive treatment by mishandling a tooth. Be careful to only hold it by its crown, the part that is always visible. To keep it from drying out, you can carry it in a small amount of milk.
Delaying Treatment When You Believe Something Is Wrong
Simply put, you should make use of your dentist’s emergency services if you feel that a problem is serious. Letting tooth injuries or problems with dental pain go unaddressed can allow complications to occur. Your tooth can become infected, which can put it in jeopardy and demand a root canal procedure. If there is physical damage, it may worsen in time after you bite or chew with the tooth.
Your Katy, TX Dentist’s Office Is Ready To Address Your Dental Injury
At Lathrop Dental Center, new and returning patients have access to restorative dental work in emergency situations. If you think your problem requires urgent attention, we can make sure that attention is given as soon as possible! To find out more, please contact our Katy, TX dentist’s office at at 832-437-3849.
