When you have a cracked or chipped tooth, or one that is knocked loose or out, these are examples of dental emergencies. Lack of treatment could lead to serious discomfort and the risk of tooth loss. But our team can help! In today’s blog, your Katy, TX, dentist talks about treating your dental emergency.
The Dangers of Ignoring a Dental Emergency
When you have a damaged tooth, a loose or missing restoration (such as a crown or filling), a damaged prosthetic, or a tooth that is knocked loose or out, these dental emergencies leave your smile vulnerable. Suddenly, sensitive inner tissues and tooth root surfaces are exposed to bacteria, which can lead to painful cavities and infections, and even threaten the stability of your smile. Don’t ignore an injury or sudden pain in a tooth, instead contact our team right away. Even if the issue occurs outside of normal business hours, we can arrange a time to see you and offer treatment.
Easing Your Initial Discomfort
After you call us, you can take steps to ease your discomfort and limit complications until we can administer treatment. For example, you can rinse with warm water and use a piece of cloth or gauze to stem bleeding. A cold compress to the side of the face could limit swelling. Of course, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever as well. If a tooth hurts, floss gently on either side of the smile. If a tooth is broken, try to recover any pieces and bring them with you. If a tooth is knocked out completely, pick it up by the crown portion, not the root, and rinse away dirt and debris (but not tissues). Place it in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it with you to the office. Be careful of what you eat and drink if you have a compromised restoration or prosthetic, as these exposed portions of the smile will be vulnerable to bacteria.
Possible Treatment Options
Our team can help restore a missing tooth to the smile and if the tooth is lost completely, we could offer a prosthetic to replace it. Our team can use dental bonding or custom crowns to address cracked or broken teeth, providing lifelike repair often in as little as one visit. We can replace any compromised restoration or prosthetic too. Whether your situation is minor or complex, we can help with lifelike results. Wearing a mouthguard when you play sports or martial arts could also help protect the teeth.
Speak With Your Katy, TX, Dentist About Emergency Dentistry
With treatment we can prevent your damaged teeth from becoming infected or lost! For more information on repairing damaged teeth, please call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at (832) 437-3849 to schedule a visit.
