You may experience the unfortunate situation of a dental emergency happening while you are at home, this can be a painful and frightening experience. What should you do if you have a dental emergency at home?
Visit a Dentist When You Experience a Dental Emergency
Whether you’ve got a severe toothache or have suffered an injury playing sports or during other physical activity, a dental emergency at home can feel scary and cause much discomfort. The first step will always be to contact a dentist in order to get an appointment as soon as possible.
Your dentist will be able to assess your situation and decide on a treatment plan.
The goal should be to get in to visit with your dentist within the first half-hour but sometimes you can't get there that quickly. What are some things you can do to manage the pain and situation while you wait?
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
While you never want to experience a dental emergency you should know what to do if one arises. Here's what to do if a dental emergency happens when you are at home:
Damaged Tooth
Is your tooth chipped or broken? Your dentist may be able to attach the missing piece. If possible, try to locate it and bring it to your dental appointment. If you are unable to locate it, your dentist will likely be able to replace it with a restoration such as a crown or filling.
Severe Toothache
Severe pain in your teeth can cause severe discomfort; you may feel throbbing or sharp pain. This could be caused by an infection in the root of your tooth, among other things.
Until you see the dentist, you can try some home remedies for an aching tooth, such as applying an ice pack to the affected area. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may also help to reduce pain. If the tooth is severely infected, your dentist may need to perform a root canal.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If one of your teeth has been knocked out, try to locate it and rinse it off with water (no soap or harsh chemicals as this can damage the tooth).
Place it back into the tooth socket by biting down gently but firmly (and carefully) to keep it in place. If you are unable to replace the tooth in its socket, keep it moist by holding it in your mouth next to your cheek or placing it in a glass of milk or your saliva until you see your dentist.
In situations where the tooth cannot be found and placed back in its socket, your dentist has other options such as implants.
Damaged Crown or Filling
Similar to teeth, fillings or crowns can become lost or damaged. If possible, try to locate the missing tooth and rinse it off before placing it back on your tooth. If you are unable to place it, bring it to your emergency appointment.
If you lose your crown of filling you should try to locate it. If that is not possible then your dentist can offer replacement options.
Are you concerned about the possibility of dental emergencies happening while you are at home?
A dentist will be able to discuss the various types of common dental emergencies and provide more thorough information on how you can manage these situations until you can visit.
