Don’t Put Off Treatment For A Dental Emergency
In recent blogs, we have discussed how crowns, root canals, and other restorative treatments can repair your tooth after damage or injury. These things can happen even with the best preventive care, so it’s important to know what to do if this happens to you. All tooth-related emergencies are unique, but in today’s blog, your Cleveland Family Dentistry will remind you what to do in your situation and how we can help.
What Is Considered An Emergency?
Urgent dental care can be more than just your teeth. Any damage to your lips, cheek, tongue, or mouth should be checked out by your dentist. While these are usually not life-threatening, they can cause serious problems if not treated in time. If you harm any part of your oral cavity, stay calm and call your dentist. If we are unable to see you on the same day, we will give you care instructions for the time being. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers and use a cold compress to keep the swelling and discomfort down.
If You Break, Chip, Or Lose A Tooth
Traumatic dental injuries can happen when playing sports or due to accidents. If you frequently play contact sports such as soccer, hockey, or football, you can talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard to protect your smile during your events. Bumping into someone during these games can cause you to accidentally bite your tongue, or cheek, or can harm your teeth.
To reduce bleeding, you can rinse your mouth out with water and apply gauze. Try to keep the tooth in a clean Ziploc bag. When you pick it up, do not touch the root. If the tooth is chipped, a crown can be placed to restore and protect it. If the whole tooth has been lost there is a chance that it can be re-rooted. If this is not possible, prosthetic options can be discussed. It is important to replace a missing tooth so that the rest of your smile is not affected.
If You Have An Infection Or Abscess
An abscess can form on or around the gum tissue, or in a tooth’s pulp due to a cavity. When dental decay is treated promptly, the filling will protect the tooth from bacteria entering the area. However, if ignored, the cavity can continue to spread and form an abscess. This can be treated with a root canal in many cases. Gum abscesses can be caused by having something caught in the tissue, causing inflammation.
If you have symptoms of an infection such as severe toothache, swelling, pain when chewing, or more, you should call your dentist right away. The treatment will depend on your symptoms. In some cases, a root canal can repair the area. In more severe cases, extraction may be necessary.
Call Us For Urgent Dental Care
To schedule an appointment at Cleveland Family Dentistry, call our office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234.