Things You Should Know About Dental Emergencies

If you are a regular reader of our blog, then you know our previous post was about a set of fictitious triplets who suffered a series of dental injuries.

One broke a tooth. One had teeth knocked out, and one suffered a cracked tooth. We explained how we could fix those problems with dental crowns and bridges.

Today, we want to stress that all three of those problems should all be considered dental emergencies if they happen to you or to someone you love. Also, if you live in or near Sand Springs, OK, you should save this phone number — (918) 245-5976 — in your cell phone so you can contact our dentist office as soon as possible in case you need emergency dental care.

But calling us isn’t the only thing you will need to do. You also want to have some supplies on hand so you can provide dental first aid before you can come to our office.

 

Create An Emergency Dental Kit

One way to deal with this is to purchase a pre-assembled dental emergency kit. At the same time, you will find that many first aid supplies that you already have in your home or car can be used in dental emergencies as well.

Even so, you may want to store a few more items with your basic supplies so you have what you need if a dental emergency does occur. Here are some things to keep handy:

 

◼ Gloves

Latex and vinyl gloves are essential. If you are helping with a dental emergency, you could be exposed to blood or saliva, so the first thing you should do is to cover your hands for protection.

 

◼ Pain relievers

Whether someone is suffering from a toothache or a traumatic injury, dental emergencies can be painful. An over-the-counter pain reliever can be an effective way to alleviate that pain until you are able to get to our dentist office.

 

◼ Gauze or cotton balls

If a dental emergency involves an injury, then it’s possible that bleeding may occur. If so, you will want to have a way to soak up blood and to clean the area when the bleeding stops.

 

◼ Dental wax

Dental wax can be found in many pharmacies or ordered online. Wax can be helpful in a few different situations. A broken tooth may have sharp edges that could cut soft tissues of the mouth (creating a new problem). By covering the broken tooth with wax, you reduce the risk of those accidental cuts.

Wax is also helpful during orthodontic emergencies, such as when the wire of someone’s braces breaks. Wax can be used to cover the exposed ends. Then you can use the eraser end of a pencil to gently press the wire flat against a tooth. If you don’t have wax available, a folded up piece of gauze could be used as well.

 

Quick Tips For Different Dental Emergencies

Most dental emergencies are not something you will anticipate happening. Even so, you can take a moment to learn what to do in different situations.

For a broken tooth, find the pieces if possible. Rinse the patient’s mouth with water, and clean up any blood. When the bleeding stops, cover the tooth. In some cases, you may want to apply a cold or ice pack to reduce swelling around the tooth.

For a tooth that has been knocked out, find the tooth if possible. Again, rinse the person’s mouth and clean up any blood. If you can, place the tooth back in its socket. If it won’t stay, keep the tooth in milk until you can see the dentist.

You can’t prevent every dental emergency, but you can take steps to protect your teeth from injury in some situations. For example, if you play sports, then you can and should be wearing an athletic mouthguard. We offer custom-fitted mouthguards as part of our general dentistry. These are often more comfortable and offer better protection than the mouthguards you will find in stores.

 

Remember: Call Us For Help In A Dental Emergency

We hope you never need emergency dental care, but if you do, please call (918) 245-5976 to reach our dentist office in Sand Springs, OK, as quickly as possible.

And keep in mind that you can help avoid many dental emergencies with preventive care. For a dental cleaning or to get one of our custom-fitted athletic mouthguards, contact us online to request an appointment.