A dental emergency can be a painful and scary problem to endure, but it can be less upsetting when you know you have access to oral health care on short notice. Our Katy, TX dentist’s office wants our patients to know that we are here for them, even in situations where they need to schedule care as soon as possible. At your visit, we will evaluate the matter to determine what we can do to preserve your smile and restore your oral health. While access to prompt care is important, you should also take care to avoid actions that might further damage the tooth or cause you more pain.
1. You Should Try To See Your Dentist As Soon As You Can
If your tooth is in a worrying amount of pain, if it is physically damaged, or if it is vulnerable to being lost, your dentist can see you and address your concerns as soon as possible. Prompt care means spending less time in pain, and it also means improving your chances of keeping a vulnerable tooth. Remember that physical injuries are not the only issues that call for emergency care. We can help if you have pain without an obvious cause, or if you have something wedged between teeth causing you pain that you cannot dislodge with floss.
2. You Can Take Steps To Protect Your Tooth And Minimize Pain Before Your Treatment
Over the counter pain relievers can ease your discomfort, and you can use an ice pack or cold compress to control any swelling that occurs before your appointment with your dentist. If your tooth is loose, you can use your tongue to gently guide it back in place, but be careful not to handle it forcefully, as it can be knocked out. Only handle a dislodged tooth by its crown, leave organic tissues alone if any are on the tooth, and use a small amount of milk to keep it from drying out before you see your dentist.
3. Emergency Care Can Restore Your Appearance And Oral Health
During your visit, your dentist will determine if cosmetic dental work is appropriate for restoring a damaged tooth’s appearance, or if you might instead need restorative dental treatment. If you need the latter, we can recommend that we use a dental crown made to imitate your healthy enamel to preserve your appearance. In the event that you lose a tooth that cannot be saved, we can make plans to keep a lifelike restorations secure with a dental implant.
Count On Your Katy, TX Dentist For Help During A Dental Emergency
Our practice is ready to see people who experience dental emergencies and require help as soon as possible. To find out more about us and what we can do for you, please call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849!
