The 4 Most Important Steps to Take in a Dental Emergency

If you are unfortunate enough to have a dental emergency, it is important to know the proper steps to take. In this blog post, we will outline four of the most important steps that you need to take in order to minimize the damage and get dental help as soon as possible. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate care, so be sure to read these instructions carefully!

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any type of oral health problem that requires immediate treatment in order to prevent further damage or pain. Dental emergencies can include accidents, such as a tooth being knocked out, as well as infections, abscesses, and other serious problems.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, the first thing to remember is to remain calm. It is important to remember that dental emergencies are often painful, but they can be treated. The sooner you seek dental care, the better your chances of minimizing the damage and pain.

The 4 Most Important Steps to Take in a Dental Emergency

Step One: Find the Tooth

If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, the first step is to find the tooth. Pick up the tooth by the crown, being careful not to touch the root. If you cannot find the tooth, do not worry – it is not necessary for the tooth to be re-implanted in order for you to receive dental care.

Step Two: Rinse Off the Tooth

Once you have located the tooth, it is important to rinse it off. Be sure to use clean water and avoid scrubbing the tooth, as this could damage it.

Step Three: Try to Re-Insert the Tooth

If the tooth is not too dirty, you may be able to re-insert it into the socket. Be sure to hold the tooth in place while biting down on a gauze pad or other soft material.

Step Four: See a Dentist Immediately

Even if you are able to re-insert the tooth, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Dental emergencies can be very painful, so it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

If you follow these four steps, you will be on your way to receiving the dental care that you need. Remember, dental emergencies can be very painful, but they can be treated. Seek dental care as soon as possible in order to minimize the damage and pain.

What Do I Do If I Can’t Re-Insert the Tooth?

The tooth must stay moist at all times, either in your mouth or, if it can’t be replaced in the socket, put it in milk, in your mouth next to your cheek, or in an emergency tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth®). The American Association of Endodontists explains to not use regular tap water, as root surface cells can’t tolerate that for extended periods of time.

What if I Can’t Find the Tooth?

If you can’t find the tooth, don’t worry. It’s not necessary for the tooth to be re-implanted in order for you to receive dental care. There are restorative dentistry services such as dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures that can replace your missing tooth or teeth.

What Do I Do if My Jaw is Broken?

If you think your jaw might be broken, apply cold compresses to the area and go to the hospital immediately. A fractured jaw is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Signs of a jaw injury include:

• Airway blockage
• Bleeding
• Breathing blood or food into the lungs
• Difficulty eating (temporary)
• Difficulty talking (temporary)
• Infection of the jaw or face
• Jaw joint (TMJ) pain and other problems
• Numbness of part of the jaw or face
• Problems aligning the teeth
• Swelling

Dental Emergency Treatment with Stonebrook Family Dental

At Stonebrook Family Dental, we understand that dental emergencies can be painful and stressful. We are here to help! Our experienced team will work quickly to assess the situation and provide you with the treatment you need. We offer a wide range of dental services, including restorative dentistry, which can replace missing teeth. We also offer dental implants, which are a permanent solution to missing teeth. In case of a dental emergency, make sure you have the Stonebrook Family Dental number saved: (303) 872-7907.  We are here to help!