What Should I Do If I Have A Dental Emergency?
First and foremost, you need to understand the difference between a dental emergency and a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening injury, call 911 or go directly to an Emergency Room. If you are experiencing a dental emergency that is not life-threatening and localized just to the teeth and gums, call an emergency dentist. If there is bleeding, consider using gauze or a clean piece of cloth to stop the bleeding. If a tooth, piece of a tooth, or dental implement like a bridge has fallen out, it is recommended that you bring it with you to the dentist. As a rule of thumb, never touch the tooth root (the part of a tooth that is below the gums).
What Should I Do With A Knocked Out Tooth?
If a tooth is knocked out due to an injury, you should pick it up by the crown (the part of the tooth that is normally visible), rinse it off with warm water and if possible have the person who lost the tooth hold it in their mouth against their cheek. If this is not possible, you should submerge it in either milk or saline solution (do not use water). The tooth may be able to be reimplanted if it is cared for properly and you get to the dentist quickly.
Is A Toothache a Dental Emergency?
A toothache should never be ignored. If the pain from a toothache is severe, constant, or recurring, it is likely a sign that there is an infection or another issue. If there are other symptoms like swelling, puffy/red gums, blood, or a sudden bad taste in your mouth, you likely have an infection. Even if a toothache isn’t severe or goes away on its own, it never hurts to make a dental appointment. Our teeth often don’t show signs of issues easily, as the nerves are very deep. Pain might mean you have a dental issue. And like with any issue, catching it quickly is always the best option.
If someone in your family is experiencing a dental emergency and needs to see a dentist, please give us a call, or contact us for more information regarding our dental services in Burbank.