Dental Emergencies
 Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. At Rockville Centre Dentistry, we often reserve time slots for emergency appointments. If you are in the middle of dental emergency call (516) 678-0100 now! If you are unsure, the following information will help you determine whether or not you have an emergency on your hands.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
In short, a dental emergency is an injury that requires immediate attention to save a tooth or alleviate severe pain. Some examples of a dental emergency include a knocked-out tooth, a loose tooth, a chipped, cracked or fractured tooth, and soft tissue injury or facial pain. Some of these oral injuries require immediate treatment, while others can wait. Discerning the difference can save you an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.
Depending on the severity of your injury, a chipped tooth may not require immediate attention. The general rule of thumb is the presence of pain. If a chipped tooth does not hurt, then it may not be a dental emergency. Most of the time this issue can be remedied with composite resin in the days following your injury.
A fractured tooth may constitute a more serious issue because it suggests that damage has also occurred on the inside of the tooth. An x-ray will be needed to properly diagnose the severity of your fracture. In some cases, a fracture can be so extreme that the tooth cannot be saved.
A soft tissue injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration, is considered an emergency if there is severe pain or excessive bleeding. It is important to clean the area immediately with warm water. To alleviate any type of facial pain before you receive treatment, you can take acetaminophen as directed on the label.
What to Do If You Knock out a Tooth?
If a tooth is knocked out, you need to act quickly and follow the proper steps. Just 30 minutes could make the difference in saving or losing your tooth.
When a tooth is knocked out, you should:
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Pick up the tooth by the crown, never by the root.
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Rinse the tooth off very gently with water. Do not scrub any remaining soft tissue of the surface.
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If possible, place the tooth back in its socket. If not, you can keep it a container of warm water or milk. The latter is preferable. Whatever the case, do not let the tooth dry out!
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Call us immediately. The longer you wait, the less likely it will be to save the tooth. |
If you follow these steps, the chances are high that Henry Cuttler, DDS can save your tooth.
Preventing a Dental Emergency
Most dental emergencies are easy to avoid. If you participate in sports activities, you should be wearing a mouth guard. A mouth guard can protect your teeth from being chipped, broken, or knocked out. Regular checkups can also help you avoid an emergency. During your checkup, we can monitor your oral health, and diagnose any potential problems.
Call Now!
If you think you may be in the midst of a dental emergency, don’t wait any longer! Call (516) 678-0100 to schedule your emergency appointment now! |
