How To Handle Your Dental Emergency

Cleveland, TX Dental EmergencyPracticing good oral health habits at home such as brushing and flossing, in addition to attending routine examinations and cleanings are necessary parts of a dental health regimen. While you may be taking these steps, accidents and mishaps can occur at any given moment, potentially jeopardizing your smile’s health. But what can you do in these situations? The team at Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, Texas recognizes that things happen, whether it means getting a tooth knocked-out while participating in a sporting event, or even from falling and landing face-first on the ground. When these emergencies occur, knowing what to do is the first step to saving your smile.

Remain Calm

Despite your initial instinct, the most important step is to remain calm. After experiencing a traumatic situation such as a dislodged or broken tooth, your body could potentially be in shock. You may be extremely calm and disoriented, or you may be in full panic mode. The important thing to keep in mind is that staying calm will help you progress at a smother rate through your dental emergency.

Act Efficiently

While remaining calm, you will want to act with efficiency to ensure the best outcome. This means taking the necessary steps to ensure you can arrive at your appointment in an appropriate manner. If you are alone, consider calling a close friend or relative to have them come over and help you schedule your emergency dental appointment and to drive you to our office. Also make sure that you collect everything you will need for your appointment, including identification and any item that may be comforting for you such as an icepack to hold against your cheek to alleviate pain and swelling, or another device.

Locate Any Oral Structures

Another important step to consider is checking around you for any dislodged oral structures, parts of chipped or broken teeth, and so on. Once you locate the tooth or pieces, make sure to take care to preserve them as best as you can.

In the event of a broken, chipped, or cracked crown, make sure to locate all of the pieces you can and place them in a Ziplock bag or a securely sealed container and bring this with you to your appointment.

In the event of a dislodged or knocked-out tooth, make sure you carefully rinse it under warm water, attempting to preserve any tissue or substance that may still be attached to the root. Place the tooth in a securely sealed container with saltwater or milk, and bring it with you to your appointment.

Schedule Your Dental Emergency Today

At Cleveland Family Dentistry, we recognize that some things are unpredictable and accidents do happen, but in the event of a dental emergency, it is important you remain calm, act efficiently, and preserve any teeth or portions of teeth you find. Call our Cleveland, Texas dentist today for your dental emergency at (281) 592-1234.