Are You Prepared For A Dental Emergency?
There are thousands of possible dental emergencies. They can range from painful caries-ridden teeth to breaking a jawbone or avulsed teeth. Most of these situations happen when you least expect them. Studies show that the most common ones are those that involve children. To prevent further injury and to improve the prognosis of the problem, here are a few guidelines from your dentist serving Bedford.
Always have your dentist’s number and that of the nearest hospital in your phonebook. Ask your dental practitioner where he can be reached after office hours. Make a copy of these important numbers and post it near your family phone. If possible save them on speed dial as well.
Those suffering from a toothache in the middle of the night should floss and brush around the area. Rinse with warm water to help sooth the throbbing. You can also take a painkiller if you like. Make sure that you visit your dentist the next day. Do not rely on medicine alone. It only relieves the discomfort but does nothing to solve the problem.
If your tooth breaks, rinse with warm water and keep an ice pack over the area of concern. This will help reduce the swelling and relieve the discomfort, if any. Schedule an appointment with your dental practitioner as soon as possible to evaluate the condition and treat it.
Avulsed teeth are common in children because they are at an age range where they are really active. Attempt to find the tooth and rinse it out. Do not scrub the root area. The periodontal ligament should remain untouched. While some might advise you to place it back in the socket, it would be best to put it in a container with fresh milk. Putting it in place may be dangerous if the area it fell into is teeming with bacteria. Go directly to your dentist or an emergency room for reimplantation.
Anything that causes extreme discomfort and disrupts your quality of life is considered a dental emergency. Do not hesitate to call the office of Dr. ____ when you feel that you cannot handle it on your own. The goal of dentistry is to preserve natural dentition and keep it in excellent condition.
