Common Dental Emergency Situations

When you have a chipped tooth, or a restoration that has become loose, you should let us know. These are just two examples of common dental emergencies. Without treatment, what seems minor could soon put your entire smile at risk. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about how to ease discomfort and receive treatment for a dental emergency. 

When to See a Dentist 

A dental emergency is an injury or complication related to your teeth and gums, or to prior dental care. A life threatening issue should always involve a call to 911 or a visit to the emergency room. But a dental emergency should involve a call to our office. Even if it happens outside of regular business hours, we will arrange a time to see you quickly and offer treatment. Examples include a chipped or cracked tooth, a tooth that is knocked loose or out, a filling or crown that is loose or missing, or unexplained pain or an object caught between your teeth. When these issues develop, let us know right away.

Addressing Immediate Discomfort 

After you call us, you can take steps to ease discomfort for yourself or a friend or family remember. If a tooth hurts or an object is caught in the smile, gently floss on each side of the tooth and rinse with warm water. If a tooth is chipped or cracked, rinse with water and use gauze or cloth to control bleeding. You can also reduce swelling with a cold compress to the side of the face. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, never the root, and rinse away any dirt. Then place it in a glass of salt water or milk, and bring it with you. If this isn’t possible, you can put it into the socket and gently bite down to keep it in place. If a crown or filling is loose or missing, avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks or items high in sugar, as the exposed tooth will be very sensitive. 

Our Treatment Options 

We can replace any compromised filling or crown, and use lifelike dental bonding to repair minor damage in only one visit. We also have lifelike crowns for more severe injuries. We can also restore your tooth, or talk about repair or replacement if necessary. If you have any questions, then give us a call today. 

Do You Have Questions About Emergency Dental Care?

We would like to help prevent complications from injured teeth or damaged restorations. If you would like to learn more about our approach to emergency dentistry, then schedule a consultation today by contacting Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.