subject: Summer Leads Way To Dental Emergencies - Be Prepared For The Unthinkable [print this page] Pain is often the main reason why so many people visit the dentist today. Both hot and cold foods or drinks can trigger a painful tooth, while heavy biting or grinding may break a tooth and cause an immense amount of pain as you chew. Sometimes, you can even experience a throbbing ache if a filling falls out. In other words, any injury to teeth or gums should not be ignored because nerves or blood vessels can be damaged. When pain is experienced, you can also increase your risk of an infection, which can spread to other parts of your head and neck if it is not treated. Today, dentists have many options for dealing with dental emergencies. So the next time you experience pain, don't ignore it-seek treatment immediately.
Understanding What to do for Some Common Dental Problems
If you are experiencing a toothache, be sure to first rinse your mouth with warm water. Once you have rinsed your mouth, use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, you may want to apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek to minimize the swelling and inflammation. Also, never put aspirin or any other painkiller against your gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue.
When a tooth is chipped or broken, save any pieces. Next, rinse your mouth using warm water, and rinse any broken pieces you may have. If there is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for approximately 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and to relieve the pain.
Additionally, if your tooth is knocked out retrieve it by holding the tooth by the crown. Be sure to rinse off the root with water if it is dirty, but never touch the root or pull pieces off of it. If possible, try to place the tooth back in place. Make sure it is facing the right way, and never try to force it into the socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, put it in a small container of milk, or saliva. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by your dentist and returned to their socket within one hour of being knocked out.
How do I Know When to Call My Dentist?
If you are not sure if your dental problem is an emergency, your dentist offers this advice: if it hurts, then it is an emergency. Even injuries that seem small can affect the living tissues inside your teeth, and quick treatment improves the odds of saving an injured or damaged tooth. Any obvious damage to a tooth should also be treated as soon as possible. Chips or fractures can affect the living tissue inside your tooth, which can cause more problems in the future. By visiting your dentist immediately, she can prevent the damage from getting worse.
The next time you are experiencing pain, do not hold off on visiting your dentist in La Grange and Western Springs. If you visit your La Grange and Western Springs dentist immediately, there is a good chance she will be able to repair the damage more easily.
