At Whitestone Family Dentistry, our Cedar Park dentists recognize the stress and uncertainty that can come with dental emergencies. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing emergency services and flexible appointment options to meet your family’s needs.
In this article, we’ll provide detailed information on various dental emergencies and what to do in case of one. Hopefully, with this information, you can feel prepared for any dental crisis.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth can be an extremely painful experience, but don’t panic! If you act quickly, there is a good chance the tooth can be salvaged. Otherwise, you can speak with our dentist about tooth replacement options.
- The first thing to do if you have a knocked-out tooth is to find the tooth and carefully pick it up by the crown and rinse it with lukewarm water.
- After you’ve located the tooth, try placing it back into its socket. This isn’t always possible and will depend on the severity of the injury. If you can’t place the tooth back into its socket, store it in a moist environment such as milk or saliva until you can get to your dentist’s office.
- Remember, time is of the essence, so call your dentist right away for further instructions, and don’t forget to bring your tooth with you when visiting!
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache indicates that something is wrong; either there’s a cavity in the tooth, an infection of the dental pulp inside the tooth, or a fracture in the enamel.
- In this case, rinse your mouth out with warm water and floss around the affected area gently but carefully so as not to cause further irritation but still remove any food particles stuck between teeth that may be causing pain.
- Take ibuprofen for pain relief if needed; however, don’t put aspirin directly on your gums as this could cause further irritation or damage.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection at either end of a root canal where pus accumulates due to bacteria growth within that area of your mouth resulting in extreme pain which increases over time if untreated.
- If you have a dental abscess the best course of action would be to see a dentist as soon as possible.
- In the meantime, as you wait for your appointment, swish saltwater (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) around your mouth every few hours while avoiding hot liquids/foods/drinks which could worsen symptoms due to increased pressure on infected areas.
- You can also take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen to alleviate some discomfort.
Severe Soft Tissue Injury
- If you’ve suffered a severe soft tissue injury such as lacerations inside of your mouth due to biting down too hard when eating please rinse out the wound gently with warm salt water then use ice packs on either side of your face for 20 minutes each hour until the swelling subsides.
- If bleeding persists for longer than 15 minutes after the initial cleaning, apply pressure using gauze pads soaked in hydrogen peroxide.
- Make sure to visit our practice within 24 hours to avoid further complications.
Are You in Cedar Park and Dealing With a Dental Emergency? We Can Help!
We trust that this article has been informative and useful. In the event of a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to call us at (512) 615-1240. Our knowledgeable dentists will cater to your needs and ensure that you’re free from pain. Schedule an appointment today!
