Invisalign® is one of the most recognized clear aligner systems in the orthodontics industry. Since its introduction to the market in the late 1990s, it has been a game-changer with numerous benefits. How many? Learn more here.
Dental emergencies can feel terrifying. Will you lose your tooth? Will you need surgery? Will you be able to get to the dentist with enough time to solve the problem?
In this blog, Meriem Boukadoum, DDS at 54th Street Dental discusses five common dental emergencies and what steps you should take to preserve your oral health.
Though dental emergencies of all kinds can occur, five of the most common are knocked-out teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, toothaches, a bitten tongue or lip, and a foreign object stuck in the mouth or in between teeth. It’s imperative that you take the following steps until you reach our office.
You should keep the tooth moist. If you can, rinse it off gently and place the tooth back in its socket, but be sure not to touch the root with your fingers. If you can’t put it back or it’s too painful to do so, you can place the tooth between your cheek and gums or place it in a small container of milk or in a tooth preservation solution approved by the American Dental Association.
You should immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. If there's any swelling, sensitivity, or soreness at the site, place a cold compress on your face to minimize swelling and pain. Don’t bite down on anything with the chipped tooth.
You should clean the area thoroughly. If you can tolerate it, put slight pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. You can also apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling or pain.
You should first check to see if you can locate the cause of your toothache. Use floss to remove any food between your teeth, and rinse out your mouth with warm water. If nothing appears to be the cause, try to remember if you may have done something to bring on the pain. Did you bite down on something hard?
If you have something stuck in your mouth, you should avoid using any sharp tools to remove the object. If the object is food, you can try gently flossing to get it out. If it’s not something you can remove with floss, use a cold compress to help reduce the pain until you get to one of our offices.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, head to our office as soon as possible. If possible, call ahead to alert our staff that you are coming in.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Invisalign® is one of the most recognized clear aligner systems in the orthodontics industry. Since its introduction to the market in the late 1990s, it has been a game-changer with numerous benefits. How many? Learn more here.
Dazzling, beautiful smiles are the subject of envy. A bright-white smile is definitely a confidence-booster, but is it sustainable? Take a moment to learn five key strategies for keeping your teeth white so you’ll be smiling for years to come.
A root canal is an endodontic or “inside-a-tooth” treatment whose ultimate goal is to restore the tooth to its natural healthy state. That is as opposed to extracting it due to severe tooth damage or infections. But does a root canal hurt?
Healing and recovery after a tooth extraction are all about being attentive to a few key instructions, like what to eat and drink and what not to. Take a few moments to learn more.
Few people are born with perfect teeth. Those who are fortunate to have a dazzling smile are likely to get a cavity or experience a mishap like a chipped tooth sometime during life. Crowns and veneers are handy tools to enhance and restore smiles.
No matter how careful or vigilant you are about dental care, chances are you will experience a dental emergency at one time or another. Knowing what constitutes an emergency is important, because some situations won’t be as obvious as others.