Be Ready For Summer Dental Emergencies
Many people consider summer their favorite time of the year. There’s more daylight. School is out, and the weather is better for outdoor fun even if it does get hot sometimes.
Because people are more active in the summer, it’s also a good time to remind yourself to be prepared in the event of a dental emergency. A game of catch with your kids can be a lot of fun, but taking your eye off the ball at the wrong time could lead to a painful problem.
If you live in or near Sand Springs, OK, add our dentist office phone number — (918) 245-5976 — to your contact list. We hope you won’t need to call us for emergency dental care, but if you do, we want you to be able to reach Galleria of Smiles as quickly as possible.
We also want you to know what to do during a dental emergency. Here’s a few scenarios to consider.
When A Cookout Is The Pits
One of the best parts of summer is grilling out with your family and friends. Burgers, chicken, steak, veggies … they are all delicious when they are hot off the grill.
But the sides can be just as important. Unfortunately, it only takes one bite into a particularly hard nut or an unexpected olive pit to cause a cracked or broken tooth.
If this happens to you, try to find the broken pieces if you can. Then, rinse your mouth in case there is any bleeding. When you know the bleeding has stopped, use gauze or dental wax to cover the broken tooth.
A broken teeth can have sharp edges or points that can cut the softer tissues of your mouth. Covering the tooth reduces your risk of an accidental cut.
If you are feeling pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine. Just remember to swallow it. Holding aspirin in your mouth can cause chemical burns on soft tissues.
In any dental emergency, call Galleria of Smiles as soon as possible. If we can see you that same day, we will do our best to make that happen. We also have a nurse to answer calls until 8 p.m. who can advise you on what to do during a dental emergency until you are able to see one of our dentists.
When A Pool Party Takes A Tumble
“Quit running!”
How many times have parents told their children not to run around swimming pools. The ground can be wet and slippery, which could lead to a fall.
And if someone falls face-first, that could lead to some teeth getting knocked out. We never want this to happen, but if it does, here’s what you should do.
First, find the missing tooth or teeth, and pick them up by the crowns. You will want to rinse them to remove any dirt or blood. The person who lost the teeth should rinse his or her mouth, too.
If the bleeding continues, holding gauze in his or her mouth can create pressure to slow the bleeding. When it stops, rinse his or her mouth again. Then see if you can place the tooth back in its socket. Leave it there if it will stay. If it won’t, then you should put the tooth in a container of milk and bring it with you to Galleria of Smiles. In some cases, it may be possible to re-place the tooth.
If a tooth can’t be saved, we do offer tooth replacement options as well. Dental implants, dental crowns, or dental bridges can fill in the gap in your smile.
When A Softball Game Goes Awry
A day at the park can be fun for the whole family. If you are having a reunion, you may even have enough people for a softball game.
That’s great … unless someone misses the ball. The ball could strike someone in the mouth and cause the brackets or wires to break on a set of braces.
You’ll want to follow many of the same steps as mentioned above. Rinse the person’s mouth to remove any blood. Stop the bleeding and take a pain reliever if needed.
For a broken wire, get a pencil with an eraser. Cover the broken ends with dental wax. Then use the pencil eraser end to gently bend the broken ends until they are flat against the person’s tooth.
This can prevent further problems until the patient is able to see us.
Call Us For Emergency Dental Care
If you need emergency dental care in or near Sand Springs, OK, call our dentist office at (918) 245-5976 for effective care and treatment as soon as possible.
