A dental emergency could range from a cracked or chipped tooth, to an aching one or knocked-out tooth. Without treatment, this could increase the risk of major complications, such as cavities and infected teeth. In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about the importance of treating dental emergencies.
Common Emergencies and Dangers to the Smile
A dental emergency could refer to a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth. You could also have one that suddenly aches, or is knocked out or loose. A compromised or lost crown or filling is cause for concern too, as are objects caught between teeth that floss cannot remove. In these situations, lack of treatment could expose sensitive portions of inner tooth structure to bacteria, which in turn leads to decay or infection. Lack of attention could even risk the stability of your tooth. Which is why you should contact us immediately for treatment when you have a dental emergency.
Easing Your Initial Discomfort
First, you can take action to prevent worsening discomfort until you can see us. For example, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, or even use cloth or gauze to control any bleeding. A cold compress or ice pack to the side of the face could control facial swelling too. If your tooth aches, is injured, or has something stuck between them, then you should floss gently and rinse with warm water. If a tooth is broken or knocked out, try to recover any pieces and bring them with you. If the tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown and place it in a sealed container of milk or salt water. Never touch the root!
Treatment Options
For some teeth, we can offer repair in one visit with dental bonding, using the same composite resin we use in our tooth-colored fillings to repair the damage. For more severe situations, we have custom crowns we can place. Our team can replace any compromised restorations, and can return your knocked out tooth to its proper position. These actions help preserve the beauty, function, and the overall health of your smile, so you avoid worsening symptoms or complications.
If you have any questions about how we treat common dental emergencies, or if you would like to schedule a visit with our team, then contact our team today. If your issue happens outside of normal business hours, leave a message and we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Your Katy, TX, Dentist Provides Emergency Dental Care
We want to make sure your injury or toothaches don’t lead to serious complications. For more information on treating common dental emergencies, including tooth extraction, then call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849 to schedule a visit.
