September 15, 2017
Your day is going along just fine, then bam! You trip and fall, knocking out a tooth. Or, as you’re absent-mindedly chewing on a piece of ice, you feel an unsettling crack. Or you are hit with acute pain, origin unknown.
Dental emergencies come out of nowhere. If you are unprepared, you may be at a loss as to what to do. At Premier Dental of Bordentown, NJ, we are equipped and ready to handle your dental emergency situation. We offer same-day appointments, because an emergency won’t wait. For existing patients, we have an after-hours number so you can reach us when the office is closed, and we will call in prescriptions.
If there’s a possibility your dental emergency is life threatening or needs immediate attention, get yourself to an emergency room. Otherwise, call Premier Dental of Bordentown, NJ at (609) 298-1124 for a same-day appointment.
Knocked-out tooth. Your adult teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, right? So when a tooth is knocked clear out of your mouth, it’s natural to feel a little panicked. But guess what? Under the right conditions, your natural tooth may be restored to its previous functionality and appearance.
For this to happen, you must call us right away. The sooner you get in to see us, the more likely we will be able to save your tooth. Also, the tooth, root and all, must be kept moist. If you can safely and comfortably, store it right in its socket (make sure it’s facing the correct way). Another option is to keep it between the cheek and gum. If you don’t think you can do this without swallowing the tooth, store the tooth in saliva, milk, or water. If the tooth is dirty, you may rinse off debris, but never touch the tooth root.
Broken, cracked, or fractured tooth. Be sure to save any and all pieces of broken-off tooth, and bring them with you to your dental appointment. Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. If your face is swollen from trauma, a cold compress can help with that and accompanying pain. You may also take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (avoid aspirin). Treatment depends on the severity of the break or crack. Very minor ones may be patched up with filling material. More serious fractures may require a crown, a root canal, or even extraction.
Acute tooth pain. If you find yourself in a lot of pain with no obvious cause, you may have an abscess. Abscesses are infections at the root of the tooth and require immediate treatment. Otherwise, not only will you be in excruciating pain, but the infection may spread to other parts of the body.
If you have an abscess, you can help the pus to escape by rinsing your mouth with warm salted water several times per day. When you come to our office, the abscess will typically be treated with a root canal and crown.
You can’t anticipate a dental emergency, but you can be as prepared as possible. A dental first aid kit will ensure you have what you need at home (and all in one place) to handle an emergency until you are able to see us at Premier Dental. Here’s are suggested items for your kit:
Don’t let a dental emergency send you into a state of panic. Know what to do when one strikes, and have a dental first aid kit handy when you need it. To book an appointment with Premier Dental of Bordentown, NJ, call (609) 298-1124. We also offer an online contact form (best for non-emergency questions and appointments).
Find personalized and comfortable dental care at our Bordentown, NJ office. We can't wait to see you!
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