Are You Prepared for a Dental Emergency?

Posted by: Jason Hui, DDS, on October 18, 2013

Recently updated on March 3rd, 2014 at 02:18 pm

A dental emergency can take on just about any shape and form. It can range from a nagging toothache to a broken jaw, and a true emergency is likely to catch you completely off guard. However, as alarming as an emergency can be, it is possible to survive it with your nerves and your sanity intact by taking a few steps to prepare in advance.

Start by keeping the name, address, and phone number of your emergency dentist saved in your mobile phone at all times. In the event of an emergency situation, you can save a great deal of time by having the appropriate phone number on hand.

Also, since a dental problem can arise at any time of the day, night, or weekend, your dentist will provide you with specific instructions for accessing care. A dental professional may be on call for emergencies, or you may be directed to the nearest emergency facility for urgent care. Don’t hesitate to contact the dental office, or call 911 immediately if you are in doubt.

Until the situation can be controlled by a professional, remember these tips for managing common dental emergencies:

• Use firm pressure and a clean cloth or gauze to control bleeding from the lips, tongue, or gums.
• For dental pain, only take the aspirin-free medications that you would normally use for a headache. Avoid using old prescription drugs, medications that belong to other people, alcohol, or aspirin tablets.
• If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it can be gently reinserted into the socket immediately, but it should not be washed or scrubbed, as there are very delicate connective tissues located on the root of the tooth.
• A tooth that cannot be replaced into the socket should be placed into a glass of milk and transported to the nearest dentist or emergency facility right away.
• A fractured or broken tooth requires immediate dental care for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Try to stay calm during an emergency, and trust your emergency dentist to guide you through. For more tips, call Paragon Dentistry at 469-251-2888 to schedule a dental appointment today.