A dental emergency can be a scary experience, especially if you don’t know what how to handle it. Fortunately, we’re here to help! If you experience a dental emergency, call Springs Village Dentistry at 919-825-3131. Emergencies don’t go away on their own. We always leave room in our schedule to fit in anyone who needs same-day emergency dental care. In the moments following an emergency, however, what should you do? Here are a few tips on how to handle the most common dental emergencies:
- Toothache
- Broken or Chipped Tooth
- Knocked-Out Tooth
For mild to severe pain in your tooth, carefully brush and floss around your tooth to remove any food particles that could be causing your discomfort. Then, rinse out your mouth with warm salt water to help clean the area. For any swelling, gently apply a cold compress to the affected area. But if the ache persists, you should come in and see us right away. Your toothache could be caused by advanced tooth decay or an infection, like an abscess, that needs immediate treatment.
If the break or chip was caused by an injury (like falling or getting hit in the face), look around for any fragments lying around. Bring them with you to our office. Clean your mouth with warm water and put a cold washcloth over the injured part of your face. Even if the chip is small and isn’t causing pain, still do call us soon to make an appointment. A chip weakens your tooth and more could break off if you ignore it. There could also be a crack that is hard to see with the naked eye, which would put your sensitive inner tooth at risk for damage. A lost/cracked filling or broken dental restoration are also considered emergencies, so give us a call if you experience either of them!
Getting an adult tooth knocked out of your mouth is a serious injury. The first thing you should do is to find the tooth and carefully pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse off any dirt or debris with water or milk. Then, gently try to return it to the tooth socket and bite down on a piece of gauze to hold it in place. If you can’t put it back, keep it moist in a cup of milk and bring it with you to our office so we can reattach it.
Emergency Dental Care in Holly Springs, NC
If you experience a dental emergency, remain calm and and come see our team at Springs Valley Dentistry. We’re here to set your mind at rest and get you treated as quickly as possible!