subject: Be Prepared For Dental Emergencies This Fall And Winter Season [print this page] As the weather gets colder, your daily activities may change opening up new opportunities for potential injuries to occur. You may lose a tooth due to trauma, such as falling down while participating in a sporting event or you could chip your tooth while biting into an apple or other food. Either way, your dentist should be the first person you call if you have a dental emergency. Many dentists set aside time specifically for when a dental emergency arises. Always keep your dentist's after hours contact information with you at all times. You never know when a dental emergency might occur and the best step is to be prepared and remain calm. Whether you are at home or traveling, visiting a dentist within 30 minutes or less can be what stands between you and saving your tooth.
Is it a Dental Emergency?
Any problem that requires immediate treatment in order to save your tooth, to stop ongoing tissue bleeding or to alleviate severe pain is considered a dental emergency. Also, if you have a severe infection or abscess in your mouth, it can be life threatening and should be dealt with immediately.
Often, smoothing a chipped tooth, re-cementing a crown that is not causing pain and composite bonding to repair a tooth are not dental emergencies and can typically be dealt with during your dentist's regular office hours. If you are unsure if you are experiencing a dental emergency, answering the following questions can help in the decision:
*Are you bleeding from the mouth?
*Are you in severe pain?
*Do you have any loose teeth?
*Have you been hit in the face or mouth?
*Do you have any swelling in the mouth or facial area?
*Do you have any bulges, swelling or knots on your gums?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is important to seek attention from your dentist in Amarillo for emergency dental care. Note, though, these questions may not cover every dental emergency and your dentist is the one to make that decision.
Save Your Knocked-out Tooth
According to the American Association of Endodontics, more than five million teeth are knocked out every year. A knocked-out tooth can be saved if the proper emergency steps are taken immediately to preserve it. When your tooth is knocked-out, pick up your tooth by the crown and do not touch the root. Touching the root greatly reduces the likelihood of a tooth successfully reattaching to the bone.
If the tooth is not clean, carefully rinse it with water. Do not scrub the tooth, or use soap or any chemicals as it will also affect the likelihood of a successful reattachment. Additionally, do not use fabricated materials to clean the tooth and do not dry it. Attempt to restore the tooth by trying to reinsert it into the socket immediately. Do not store it in a napkin or any other material. The tooth may be held in place by holding it with your fingers or gently biting down.
Your tooth must be kept moist until you reach your dentist, if it cannot be re-inserted in its socket. Place it in milk or water and a small amount of salt to preserve your tooth until your dentist can take action. It is important to understand that a tooth has the best chance for survival if it is preserved within the first few hours by a dentist.
When it comes to dental emergencies, the sooner you seek dental attention, the better your chances of saving your tooth are. Staying calm and thinking quickly are essential to preserving your tooth until you can visit your Amarillo dentist for proper emergency care.
