Steps to Take When Visiting the Emergency Dentist

When it is important to see someone quickly, call an emergency dentist.  If your tooth has become damaged, there is no time to wait for weeks to get an appointment scheduled.  Seeing someone that handles emergencies means that you can get in quickly and receive the dental care that you need.  This is also preferable to visiting the ER since medical doctors are not trained in how to save or restore teeth and will likely send you to the dentist anyway.

There are several ways that you can prevent an accident from happening in the first place.  If you play sports, the dentist can create a mouthguard for you that will protect your teeth in case they get hit.  You can also reduce your overall risk of injury by keeping your teeth and gums healthy in the first place.  By getting your teeth cleaned twice a year, you can prevent cavities and gum disease. This is important because when teeth are unhealthy, they are weaker.  Additionally, you can use a fluoride toothpaste which can help to strengthen teeth.

If you do end up with a damaged tooth, call an emergency dentist and follow these steps at home while waiting for your appointment to start.

• Brush your teeth.  Many common toothaches are caused by something becoming stuck in between teeth or inside of a cavity.  The first step in treating a common toothache is to brush and floss your teeth.  This may eliminate the pain and prevent a trip to the dentist.  If not, you should schedule an appointment.
• Rinse your mouth.  If your mouth has been injured, rinse with warm water so that you can spit out the blood and evaluate the situation.  This will help you to be able to explain what happened and what damaged was created when you speak with the dentist over the phone.
• Reduce swelling.  Apply an ice pack or cold compress to your face where the injury took place in order to prevent or reduce swelling.  This will also provide a level of pain relief and by keeping the swelling down, it will be easier for the dentist to treat the area.
• Use gauze to protect the tooth.  When a tooth becomes chipped or broken, it can be painful, especially if the root has become exposed.  In this scenario, even the air touching the tooth and root can be painful.  In order to prevent anything from touching it, even accidentally, apply gauze around the tooth.  This is definitely a good idea if you are around a lot of people or young children while waiting for your appointment to start. An accidental bump isn’t normally a big deal but in this case it can create additional pain.
• Find your tooth.  If your tooth has been knocked out, or has fallen out, you can potentially save it.  First, you need to locate your tooth so look in your immediate vicinity and check inside of your mouth.  Once the tooth has been found, rinse it in warm water without removing anything from it.  Place the tooth in a glass of milk so that the calcium can preserve it prior to your appointment starting.





to schedule your emergency dentist appointment, call Dr. Call Dental Center at (706) 425-6240.

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