We often hear a lot about medical emergencies, but we don't often hear much about dental emergencies. But just like medical emergencies, dental emergencies require prompt attention. What should you do if you've had mouth trauma and broken or knocked out a tooth? Here are some things to keep in mind:
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever: You'll probably feel some pain from the trauma to your tooth. Take an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen to help with this while you seek medical attention.
Keep any broken part of the tooth: If the tooth has been completely removed or chipped or cracked, finding the lost tooth or pieces and holding on to them to give to the dentist will be an immense help later on. Put any lost teeth or pieces into water and rush to the dentist as soon as you can.
If you suspect a broken jaw, keep it in place: use a handkerchief or towel and wrap it around the jaw, tying it at the top of the head. Then head immediately to the ER or dentist. Remember to have someone who isn't injured do any driving.
What happens next depends on many factors, such as the type of injury that you have sustained. In general, the goal is to replace or restore the tooth as soon as possible in order to prevent a variety of problems.
In the case of a chipped tooth, cosmetic repairs are often all that is required, especially if the chip is small. If it's a larger chip or is painful, talk to your dentist about the next steps to take.
A tooth that is cracked or broken should be fixed as soon as possible in order to prevent continuing damage to the tooth. Follow the dentist's advice regarding the type of treatment you should seek.
If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, there is a critical period of just a few hours where it can still be saved. The best chance is if the tooth is reimplanted in the first thirty minutes, so get to the dentist as soon as possible. If reimplantation is not possible, then dentures or a dental implant may be required.
Remember: time is of the essence. If one or more of your teeth has been damaged, then get to the dentist as soon as possible. For more information, contact Peak Family Dentistry & Orthodontics or a similar location.
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