When you have a dental emergency, this could mean your tooth aches or is damaged. You need to seek treatment with our team so we can help you avoid further complications. But in between your injury and seeing us, you can ease your discomfort. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists discuss emergency dentistry.
When to Seek Care
You should let us know when you experience an injury, such as a cracked or chipped tooth. Sudden pain in a tooth or an object caught between teeth that floss cannot remove is also cause for concern. Missing or loose fillings and crowns should be seen quickly. You also need to see us if a tooth is knocked loose or out completely. You need treatment before these dental emergencies leave your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay and infection, which could eventually threaten smile stability.
Broken/Cracked/Chipped Teeth
When a tooth is damaged, you should rinse with warm water and use a bit of cloth or gauze to control any bleeding. A cold compress to the side of the face could help by reducing facial swelling. Be sure you recover any pieces of your tooth if possible, and bring them with you to the office. An over-the-counter pain reliever could be helpful too! Even if your tooth appears fine following an injury, consider an examination to make sure there isn’t a fracture, which could be invisible to the naked eye.
Toothaches
If your tooth hurts, then gently floss on either side of it and then rinse with warm water. If this fails to address the discomfort, then schedule a visit right away. Our team will conduct a detailed examination to see if you benefit from a filling to treat a cavity.
Objects Caught Between Teeth
When an object is stuck between your teeth, never use anything other than floss to try and dislodge it. Otherwise, you risk injury to your teeth and gums. After you floss and rinse with water, schedule a visit so we can gently remove the trapped object.
Loose/Missing Crowns and Fillings
If a dental crown or filling is loose or lost, let us know right away. The exposed tooth could be very sensitive and prone to tooth decay or dental infection without treatment. Be sure you avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks or items high in sugar, as the exposed tooth is very vulnerable.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out, bring it to the office in a sealed container of salt water or milk. Pick it up by the crown, never the root!
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides Dental Emergency Care
Our team wants to help you avoid the complications of a damaged tooth. For more information on our approach to emergency dentistry, then call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 to schedule a visit.
