First things first, do not panic! If you’ve lost a filling, knocked out a tooth, or are dealing with extreme teeth pain, your dentist is ready to help. Dentists see this kind of thing all the time and are well equipped to handle any of these emergency situations. However, it is important to know whether or not your situation is considered an emergency, or if it can wait for normal business hours. Also, knowing the actions you should take before coming into the office might just help you to salvage your tooth. We’ve listed some common scenarios below, and important steps you need to take in order to properly handle the situation.
When You Knock Out Your Tooth
Ouch. If you’ve knocked out a tooth, you might be dealing with some serious pain and probably some bleeding. However, by keeping your composure and taking the following steps, you may be able to salvage your tooth. The first step would be to retrieve the tooth if at all possible. Pick it up by the outer crown—which is the white part of the tooth that you can typically see—and then try to handle it as little as possible. Rinse the root of the tooth with water if needed, but be careful not to remove any tissue fragments or scrub too hard. If it can place the tooth back into the socket, do so. Otherwise, keep it in a container of milk or your saliva until you can see a professional. Applying a cold, wet compress to your tooth socket should also minimize the bleeding.
Knocking out a tooth is definitely considered a medical emergency. Your tooth has the best chance of survival if it is taken care of properly and immediately, so try to bring it to the dentist in fairly good condition within the hour.
If You’ve Lost a Crown or Filling
If you’ve lost a crown or filling, the first thing you need to do is locate it and put it somewhere safe if possible. Then, quickly call Caputo Dental to schedule an appointment. While losing a crown or filling isn’t considered an emergency in most cases, it is important to see a dentist as quickly as possible as the exposed tooth can be damaged further when it does not have a crown or filling for protection. Sometimes the exposed tooth can be quite sensitive. Most recommend over-the-counter pain medications to ease the pain as you wait for your appointment. Do not use any household glues or adhesives to put the filling or crown back into place—these are not safe for your mouth and could cause more damage. Simply bring the device to our office and we’ll take it from there!
If You Have a Painful Toothache
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine on your own whether your toothache needs immediate care. If you have an abscess tooth, for example, this can be a serious condition that needs immediate attention. If you think you may need emergency dental care for a toothache, call our Naperville office to see how quickly we can have you in. Then, try rinsing with a mild saltwater solution and applying a cold compress to the outside of the mouth and cheek—this will help to ease discomfort.
If you’re dealing with any of these dental emergencies, call Caputo Dental as soon as possible. We will help you determine your next steps to fix the problem quickly and safely.