When something unexpected happens to your smile, it’s easy to fall into a moment of panic. Emotions can get the best of you and it can feel overwhelming when trying to figure out what to do next. First and foremost, it’s important to assess the severity of your situation. Once you know the extent of what’s going on, you’ll be better equipped to pursue the proper self-care at home or prompt treatment at our office.
Toothache
One of the most common dental emergencies is the presence of a nagging toothache. Check your teeth for any food or debris that can be removed with floss. Rinse with warm water and take an over-the-counter pain medication. If the pain persists, call us right away.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Oral injuries to the gums, lips, cheek, or tongue are bound to bleed heavily. In order to control the bleeding, rinse with a warm saltwater solution. Following your mild rinse, it’s important to apply pressure to the injured site with clean gauze or a moistened towel. Hold the pressure for 15-20 minutes and consider using a cold compress, which can also help reduce swelling and stop residual bleeding. In cases of severe injury with profuse bleeding or obvious trauma it’s important to stay calm, apply continuous pressure to the wound, and go straight to the emergency room.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Seeing visible damage to a tooth can be frightening. As with the aforementioned emergencies, control any potential bleeding and consider applying an ice pack to reduce any swelling. If there are pieces of your tooth which have fallen out, save them and bring them with you to your emergency visit.
Knocked Out Tooth
Seeking rapid treatment for this type of dental emergency is critically important. If treated within two hours of the injury, the chances of salvaging your tooth are exponentially higher. The best advice: put your tooth in a glass of milk and seek treatment as soon as possible.
Your oral health is our top priority. We encourage you to contact Cypress Springs in any dental emergency situation so we can be of service and restore your beautiful smile.