Emergency Tooth Extraction
When a dental emergency comes up, it is important to know what to do to minimize damage. If you experience a trauma or accident, knowing how to administer dental first aid on yourself or a loved one can greatly minimize anxiety and prevent further damage.
What is dental first aid?
As with any first aid, dental first aid is treatment provided in an emergency situation before you get to a medical professional. The key to any emergency is of course remain as calm as possible so that you can provide accurate aid on yourself or perhaps to your child or a family member. Here are a few tips on how to treat different dental issues:
- Swelling: A cold compress held on the area can help reduce inflammation; you can also take a dose of an NSAID, such as ibuprofen if you are able.
- Bleeding: Gently press a clean, damp cloth over the area until bleeding subsides; if the bleeding will not stop, visit urgent care or the emergency room.
- Lost dental restorations: If a filling or a crown falls out, it is best to have it replaced within 24 hours even if you do not have any pain or sensitivity in order to avoid fracturing the tooth; denture adhesive can be used to temporarily hold a crown or bridge in place.
- Lost tooth: Rinse your mouth and the tooth with warm water, taking care to never touch the root of the tooth. If you can, try to put it back into the socket; if you are unable, place the tooth in a cup of milk and get to your dentist as soon as possible.
Most tooth pain responds better to anti-inflammatory pain medications such as Advil and ibuprofen rather than Tylenol. If you cannot take an NSAID like ibuprofen, Tylenol will still be effective at easing your discomfort.
Seeking Emergency Dental Care with Your Dentist
Most dental offices reserve time in their schedule every day for dental emergencies! Call your dentist as soon as you can when an emergency arises to see what they have available. If it is after business hours, call your dental office anyway to get the emergency number which will allow you to reach your dentist after hours.
Your dentist wants you to keep as many natural teeth as possible so extraction will be a last resort of treatment. Other treatment options may include:
- Medication: If you have an infection or abscess, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic to help treat the infection.
- Composite bonding: If you chip a tooth, your dentist may be able to fix it in one visit with a little composite bonding.
- Extraction: If you have cracked a tooth so severely that it cannot be repaired, your dentist may advise that you have the tooth extracted richmond va.
Dental emergencies can be stressful but take the time to assess your situation and do what you can to the best of your ability so that your dentist can help you save the tooth!