Even if you take good care of your teeth, you can still experience a dental emergency. One can happen to anyone at any time. The team at Rebol Family Dentistry, a dentist in Asheville, NC, explains common dental emergencies and how to handle them.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any dental problem that needs immediate attention and can’t wait. If you’re experiencing something like this, you should call our office immediately. Below is a list of some common dental emergencies and what you can do to handle them until you’re able to be seen in our office.
Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never something to just brush off, especially if it’s severe or comes on very suddenly. There are many reasons why you could have a toothache, and they may not be able to be diagnosed until the tooth is looked at by a professional. Take over-the-counter pain medication to ease any pain and use a cold compress if there’s swelling present.
Knocked-Out Tooth
It’s understandable to want to panic if an adult tooth is knocked out. However, it’s important to try and remain calm and retrieve the tooth without damaging it. Pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the tooth root. Gently rinse off the tooth to get rid of any debris, but avoid scrubbing. Place it in a cup of saliva or milk to preserve the tooth as much as possible.
Bring the tooth with you when you come into our office. We’ll examine the tooth and determine if it’s able to be put back in your mouth. If it isn’t viable for replacement, you don’t have to worry too much. We offer many options to replace missing teeth! In particular, we recommend getting dental implants.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
When a tooth encounters a cosmetic chip, it isn’t something to be too worried about. But something more severe requires action. A broken tooth exposes the dental nerves and can cause pain when anything comes into contact with them. A porcelain veneer or other restoration can replace the portion of the tooth that’s broken off.
A cracked tooth can splinter into multiple pieces and expose the dental pulp in the center. This makes it vulnerable to infection. Typically, a dental crown is required to hold the pieces together and seal the tooth off from infection. Take over-the-counter pain medication for any pain, and be sure to avoid anything coming into contact with the broken or cracked tooth.
Your Emergency Dentist in Asheville, North Carolina
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office immediately. To try to avoid having dental emergencies, it’s important to have regular checkups at your dental office. Call us or schedule an appointment online.