It can be tough to know exactly what to do when you are faced with a dental trauma or emergency. Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give people the guidance that they need in these stressful instances.
Today we’ll be reviewing some of the steps that you should take when faced with dental trauma. Following these helpful tips will allow you to protect your smile and minimize the long-term effects of oral damage.
One of the most common emergencies that our dental team sees is that a patient has one of his or her teeth knocked out. In this instance, the ultimate goal for our dental team is to reinsert the tooth and allow it to become anchored in the smile again. To facilitate this:
- Get to your dentist’s office as soon as possible after the accident
- If possible, place the tooth gently back into the socket in order to keep the root moist
- If your tooth does not fit back into your gum tissue, do not force it. Instead, place the tooth in milk to transport it to your dental team
If you are dealing with a cut on your oral tissues or your tongue, you can:
- Rinse the area with water or salt water to keep it clean
- Use a cold compress to keep swelling down—try not to apply any medications directly to the damaged tissues
When you experience a toothache:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any existing dental debris
- Use floss—rather than toothpicks or metal instruments—to clean around your tooth
- Use cold compresses to numb the area and minimize swelling, do not apply aspirin to the gum or dental tissue
No matter the root cause of your dental trauma, the best thing that you can do to move forward is to see your dental team as soon as possible! Our Toluca Lake dentist can answer any questions you may have—just give us a call!