Welcome back to the Luxe Dental Spa blog, where we’re keeping you informed on everything when it comes to the care and health of your teeth! In our latest blog post, we discussed how you can keep your teeth healthy while at home in quarantine due to the fact that we are currently (May 5th, 2020) not open for normal routine procedures. However, we are open for emergency dental procedures only. For more information about our hours and openings, please contact us directly.
In this blog post, we are going to discuss what types of procedures or issues can count as dental emergencies. Remember, if you are in a state of emergency or hurt badly, always call 911 for immediate treatment. Learn more about what types of dental procedures we are currently handling.
Starting off, no matter where you are or what you’re doing it’s important to remember that with some dental emergencies, seeing a dentist within 30 mins or less can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth.
Knocked-Out Teeth
A knocked-out tooth is definitely a dental emergency that is going to require immediate attention. You always want to make sure that you’re following specific steps to make sure that the tooth can be reinserted and preserved by a dentist. These steps can include:
- Picking up the tooth by the top (crown), avoid touching the root of the tooth.
- Rinse the tooth gently with water to make sure it’s clean. Do not remove or scrub any remaining tissue that may be attached to it.
- Place the tooth somewhere where it won’t be touched or knocked around (plastic bag or container) and bring it with you.
- Call your dentist immediately.
Loose Tooth
When it comes to loose teeth or having a tooth out of alignment, you should always call your dentist right away. While it may not hurt or seem like an emergency, you want to make sure that it’s taken care of immediately. Do not try to force the tooth down.
Chipped, Cracked, and Fractured Teeth
Sometimes, if you have a chipped or cracked tooth, it won’t hurt which may cause you not to think about it or realize it’s cracked. While this type of tooth problem may not need immediate emergency service, you still want to call and make an appointment. Depending on the severity of your tooth, you may be able to still chew, talk, and swallow like normal. However, you want to make sure that you’re not making it worse by doing so. Call your dental provider right away or as soon as you notice the crack to make sure that it’s taken care of.
Some fractures or cracks may also be a result of damage that has taken place on the inside of the tooth, which may be more severe. Severe fractures can be so extreme that the original tooth may not be able to be saved, which is why you want to contact us immediately. If you notice that your tooth is cracked follow these steps:
- Rinse your mouth out gently with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress if the area is causing pain.
- Take acetaminophen (not aspirin) to help alleviate the pain.
- Never use painkilling medication, like Orajel, for pain because it may burn the gum tissue.
- Call your dentist right away.
These are just some of the emergencies that we cover but basically, any dental problem that is going to require immediate treatment in order to save a tooth, stop bleeding, or alleviate severe pain is considered to be a dental emergency. If you’re experiencing an infection or abscess in the mouth, you will also want to contact your dentist immediately. They will also help refer you to other dental specialists if you need further treatment.
Never be afraid to call us to see if your issue needs dental emergency treatment, better to be safe than sorry! As we mentioned above, we are currently closed for all normal routine procedures and are working on an official re-opening date. Please continue to check our website and social media platforms for more updates regarding our re-opening. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you! We hope you all are staying healthy during this time and can’t wait to see all of you once we re-open.