Even if you’re the best at taking care of your teeth, an accidental dental emergency can pop up at any time. But what do you do when one happens to you? Dr. Brenda Paulen of Proud Smiles, a dentist in Sandy Springs, GA, explains common dental emergencies and how you can help with them until you get into the dentist’s office.
Handling a Dental Emergency
The first thing you should do in the event of a dental emergency is to call our office immediately. Below, Dr. Paulen lists some common dental emergencies you might run into and what you can do at home until you can be seen by us:
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never something you should brush aside, particularly if it’s sudden or sharp. Tooth pain can be caused by a large variety of reasons. These include extreme tooth decay, an infection, or an abscess. Many instances of these conditions can’t be seen by the naked eye and need to be diagnosed by a dentist. Use over the counter pain medication to ease the pain and a cold compress if you experience any swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
It’s important to make sure you don’t panic if an adult tooth gets knocked out. Do your best to retrieve the tooth, making sure to pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the tooth root. Gently rinse off any dirt or debris on it. Place the tooth in a cup of either your saliva or milk to try and preserve it until you’re seen in our office.
Dr. Paulen will analyze your tooth to determine if it’s still viable for replacement. If it isn’t, there’s no reason to worry too much. Our office offers many options for tooth replacement. In particular, we recommend dental implants. Implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement for a reason!
Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth
Simply biting down on something in the wrong way can cause one of these issues. If you’re lucky, it’ll just be a small, cosmetic chip or break. However, if it’s more serious, that’s when it becomes a dental emergency. A severe chip or break can expose the dental pulp and nerves, as well as cause a lot of pain.
A cracked tooth can also cause pain, as well as leaving room for bacteria to get into your tooth. An infection in that dental pulp can cause a need for a root canal. Dr. Paulen will evaluate your chip, crack, or break to determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options can include dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns.
Your Dentist in Sandy Springs, Georgia
If you have an emergency, please call us immediately. For a dental checkup to try to avoid a dental emergency in the future, call us or schedule an appointment online!