When there's a medical emergency, you may know exactly what to do, but if you have a dental emergency, you may be left without a clue. A dental emergency is not exactly something you've thought too much about, but it's something you should be aware of at least what to do in the event of an emergency, whether it happens to you or to someone else. Read on for a few dental emergencies and what you should do about them.
Chipped Your Tooth
If you've chipped your tooth on something, it can be painful and can make you feel very self-conscious about your smile. It's something you will want to have repaired right away. If you chipped your tooth, you should take the piece of tooth that chipped off if you have it and place it in a small bowl or cup of milk, then get to the dentist's office as soon as you can. If you can't get in to see the dentist, you should ask the dentist about what to do. You may have to wait until you can get to the dentist to have your tooth repaired, and you may end up needing to have it capped.
Knocked Out Your Tooth
If you knocked out your tooth, it can also be painful and make you feel self-conscious. Again, place your tooth into a small container of milk or even water and get to the dentist immediately. Rinse out your mouth to remove anything that may have gotten lodged in your gums, and take an over-the-counter pain medication to help with any pain. You can use a piece of ice wrapped in a clean washcloth to help soothe the area as well, as you may have some swelling. Get to the dentist right away to see if the dentist can put your tooth back in. If the tooth cannot be put back into place, you may end up needing an implant to replace it, or a bridge may be fitted into your mouth.
Cut Your Gums
A cut in your gums can get infected easily and can make it painful to eat or drink. If your gums are cut, they could require stitches. You can go to your dentist for help with this, or if your dentist is not in the office, you should go to the emergency room for help. Be sure to rinse your mouth out to prevent anything from getting into the cut and causing you more pain.
If you have a dental emergency, you should call your dentist for help, or get to the office for treatment as needed. Call your dentist in the event of any dental emergency.
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