Even if you take good care of your teeth, a dental emergency is always a possibility. But how do you know what’s a dental emergency and what’s normal? Dr. Leah Romay of Baltimore Dental Co., a dentist in Glyndon, MD, highlights common dental emergencies and what to do if you experience one.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that happens to your oral health that needs to be taken care of immediately. If something happens to you, the first thing you should do is call our office. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies and how you can handle them until you can come into the office.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is something you should always make sure to take seriously, especially if it’s sharp or comes on suddenly. Many things can cause a toothache and it can be hard to determine what the cause is without diagnostic tests and an expert eye. Take over the counter pain medication to keep your pain under control. If there’s swelling, gently apply a cold compress to the impacted area.
Knocked-Out Tooth
It’s natural to want to panic if an adult tooth gets knocked out. However, it’s important to stay calm enough to safely retrieve the tooth if possible. Make sure you pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Gently rinse off any dirt or debris, avoiding any scrubbing. Place it in a cup filled with milk or your own saliva to keep it viable as long as possible.
When you come into our office, bring the tooth with you. Dr. Romay will determine if it’s viable to be put back in. If it’s not, you don’t have to worry too much. We offer a wide variety of tooth replacement options at our office, including dental implants. We’ll make sure to help you find the tooth replacement solution that fits your needs.
Broken Dental Restoration
The process for a broken restoration depends on each restoration. If you have a dental bridge or denture that’s broken, try to obtain all of the pieces and bring them to the office. Dr. Romay can determine whether it’ll be better to fix the broken restoration or to give you a completely new one.
If you have a broken dental crown, again try to retrieve the pieces. Don’t try to put the crown back in your mouth yourself. While dental crowns can’t usually be put back together, we always want to take a look at them. A new dental crown can be custom-made for you and you’ll get a temporary solution until the permanent crown is ready.
Your Emergency Dentist in Glyndon, Maryland
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. To schedule a new appointment or raise other concerns, call us or schedule a consultation online!