At Family Smile Center LLC, Dr. Danny H. Dinh and our team understand that dental emergencies can happen to anyone, anytime. Today we would like to talk about a few possible emergencies that may occur, and how to handle them. Our goal is to help you with all of your oral health needs, so if you experience a dental emergency, give us a call to be seen as soon as possible. While you are waiting to be seen by our team, there are some things you can do beforehand:
Toothache
If you have a painful toothache, the first thing you will want to do is rinse your mouth with water to remove debris. If there is food stuck between your teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. If your toothache is caused by a mild infection, it may go away on its own. You can rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to reduce swelling and inflammation. Stir a spoonful of salt in a cup of warm water until it dissolves, and rinse with the solution so that it washes over the painful area. You may also want to take ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.
Cracked Tooth
For a cracked tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth to remove any oral debris or food particles. If you are experiencing swelling in the gum tissue around the affected tooth, you can apply a cold compress to your cheek where the fracture occurred. Make an appointment with our dentist as soon as you can.
Lost Tooth
If you have lost one of your permanent teeth due to injury or trauma, you will want to preserve the tooth as best as you can before you are seen. To keep the tooth viable for possible implantation, keeping it moist is key. You can keep it in the socket or between your cheek and gums. Your saliva is a good protector of the tooth and tooth root. If you can’t keep it in your mouth, try placing it in a small container of milk, or if you have a tooth preservation product in your emergency kit, use that. Avoid handling the tooth by the root, handle it as little as possible and only by the crown.
We are always ready to help our patients in Frederick, Maryland, and the surrounding communities in the event of a dental emergency, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 301.663.9484Â to be seen by our dentist. If our office is closed, please go to your local emergency room. If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call!