We live in a dangerous world where accidents can happen at any moment, and the best thing we can do to protect ourselves is to be prepared for anything. Whether through contact sports, a car accident, or a bad fall, you might experience dental damage when you least expect it. Below, we cover how to prepare for dental emergencies.
How to Prepare for Dental Emergencies
With a newly cracked, chipped, or knocked-out tooth, you might be wondering what to do if you need immediate help. Below, your top Hollywood dentist will show you how to prepare for dental emergencies so that you can respond calmly and effectively when the time really comes.
Whatever You Do, Do Not Panic
It can be scary when an accident happens in the moment. Major injuries can cause panic, leading to more stress and possibly even more pain. Although you are hurting or feeling uncomfortable, the best thing you can do for yourself is to remain calm. Make sure you know how to contact your emergency dentist or another urgent responder who can help you while you continue to take deep breaths.
Find Your Emergency Specialist
In order to visit the emergency dentist, you need to determine what qualifies as a dental emergency. Though a chipped or broken tooth might seem like an urgent problem, you may be able to wait for an available appointment if it is not causing you any irritation or pain. On the other side of the coin, something severe like a missing tooth or bleeding gums should be taken care of right away.
If you are in extreme pain and have suffered a lot of damage, then you should go to an urgent care facility or the emergency room. Your tooth might be able to be saved depending on its condition.
Get the Right Kind of Treatment
There are a few different types of dental emergencies that you will receive depending on the state of your teeth. Knowing what you need ahead of time can help you get quicker care once you arrive at the right facility.
Common types of dental emergencies include:
Chipped Teeth
Chipped teeth become a health hazard over time as the chip can have sharp edges that cut lips and gums. Similarly, the open gash in your tooth allows bacteria to build up inside, making it easier for you to get an infection. Chipped teeth may not be a dental emergency if the chip is small, but you should still address this problem as quickly as you can.
Cracked Teeth
Cracks are usually more severe than chips, as they make a clean split in your tooth. This weakens the structure of your tooth while creating nooks and crannies for bacteria that are impossible to reach with a toothbrush. Cracked teeth can cause pain and dental trauma as well, so it is best to visit your dentist ASAP.
Missing Teeth
One of the most severe dental injuries you can experience: getting a tooth knocked out. This can prove very painful depending on the way knocked out. And it can also cause irreparable damage to the tooth. If the tooth manages to remain intact, you can wash it off by placing it in a glass of milk. Make sure not to grab it by the roots but by the crown or the top of the tooth. Bring the tooth in the milk along with you when you visit your emergency dentist, and they may be able to put it back in your mouth.
Get to Know Your Local Emergency Dentist Today
If you are looking for top-notch emergency dentistry in Hollywood, look no further than GLO Modern Dental. We provide instant solutions for cracked teeth bleeding gums, missing teeth, and other dental injuries that can cause severe pain and discomfort. Schedule an emergency appointment or visit us during walk-in hours so you can get the treatment you need ASAP.