What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are unexpected circumstances that can impact the health, function, or appearance of teeth. Whether you’ve experienced trauma, developed intense discomfort or sensitivity, it’s important to remain calm and treat the conditions to the best of your ability until you can receive proper dental care. At Solano Dental Group, our team of experienced dental professionals provides quality and effective treatment for our patients experiencing a dental emergency.
Below are a few examples of dental emergencies along with some helpful tips to ensure a successful recovery.
Dislodged Tooth
When teeth are knocked out due to trauma, they can be reattached if given prompt attention. Once the avulsed tooth has been located, it must be gently rinsed with milk, saliva, or a dental solution and kept submerged. If possible, the tooth can be placed directly back in the socket. It’s important to keep the natural fibers at the root intact. They are what will hold the tooth in place if the reattachment is successful. The tooth can only be reattached if the procedure begins within the hour of its avulsion.
Partially dislodged teeth can also be repaired. A dentist may decide to leave it in place or to fully extract it and attempt reattachment. If you cannot locate the lost tooth, there are a variety of restorative options and prosthetic devices a patient can choose to replace it.
Managing Severe Tooth or Jaw Pain
When wisdom teeth are impacted or tooth decay has advanced, it can cause severe pain that interferes with everyday life. It’s important to treat these with gentle homecare until you can receive dental assistance. Rinse your mouth with warm water to reduce any irritants that might be causing the pain to intensify. If swelling is present, a cold compress and over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate the discomfort.
Though these circumstances don’t often warrant a trip to the emergency room or after-hours care, it’s important for patients to schedule an appointment with their dentist sooner rather than later so further complications don’t develop.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you or a loved one are experiencing a dental emergency, call the office of Solano Dental Group. Our dedicated team takes a caring and friendly approach so patients can feel comfortable throughout their visit, regardless of the severity of their circumstances. We proudly help those living or working in Fairfield, Vacaville, Vallejo, and all Solano County communities.