Dental emergencies can happen at any time of the day or night. When an emergency happens, it’s important to know what to do so you can make the best decision. Your emergency dentist Virginia Beach experts want to give you these tips to follow in case you or someone you know is involved in an accident that requires immediate dental care.
Chipped or Fractured Tooth
Have you fallen down or hit your face on something that resulted in a chipped or fractured tooth? If so, it’s important to get to the dentist right away. But before you jump in your car and look for the nearest emergency dentist Virginia Beach professional, you should look for the fragment of the tooth. Rinse it gently in warm water to remove any dirt or debris. Then apply a cold compress to the area of your mouth where the tooth was chipped. This will help minimize the swelling until you get to the dental office so you can have the tooth worked on.
Missing Tooth
If you’ve had an incident where one of your permanent teeth were knocked out, you should get dental attention immediately. But first, look for the tooth that got knocked out. If you can find it, rinse it off in cool water. Hold the tooth by the crown rather than the root if possible. Next, try to replace the tooth in the socket where it came from. Hold it there with a clean washcloth or gauze. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, you should tuck it into your cheek where it will stay moist from your saliva. This will help maintain it so it will be easier to work with when you get to the emergency dental clinic.
Painful Toothache
A toothache can happen at any time. And if the pain is unbearable, it’s important to seek help right away. Before you leave to go to the dentist’s office, put a cold compress on outside of the mouth around the area of your toothache. Never apply heat to a toothache. Also, ease the pain by taking some over the counter pain relievers. Avoid taking aspirin, though, because it has an anticoagulant property, which could result in excessive bleeding if the dentist has to pull any teeth or do any other invasive procedure. If you notice that the swelling isn’t subsiding or if you notice an abscess around the painful area, get immediate help because it could be more serious than just a toothache.
