Dental emergencies happen, and when they do you want to be prepared. Thankfully, most dental emergencies are nowhere near the severity level of a medical emergency, but they still need to be managed. Family Dental Care, your affordable dentist in Lakeview, has a few tips for how to handle your tooth crisis.
Evaluate the Situation
Stay calm and try to determine what’s going on in there. Is the tooth cracked? Did it fall out completely? Is your face swelling? Time for next steps.
Crack or Chip
Depending on the severity of the crack, you may need a filling, crown, or implant to fix it. However, if you aren’t in pain, you’ve got time. Sensitivity should go away within a few hours, and after that, you should see your dentist within the next few days.
Knockout
If the tooth was knocked out and seems salvageable, you’ll need to store the tooth. Pick it up by the crown, and not the root. Touching the root can damage the tissue that helps with reimplantation. Dentists recommend placing the tooth back in the socket if you can, but you have to be careful to put it in the right way, so try to look at the surrounding teeth and visualize how it would sit. If this seems too risky, you can opt for a tooth preservation kit or place it in milk.
Swelling
If your face is swelling up, this may be a serious dental infection that needs immediate attention by a dentist. Infected teeth, bones, and gums aren’t minor conditions that typically resolve themselves. Drink lots of fluids, stay upright, and contact your dentist immediately. If you’re looking for an affordable dentist in Lakeview to consult with, contact Family Dental Care today.
