Our office sees patients dealing with dental emergencies very often. As your trusted dentist in McLeansville, NC, Dr. Quinn Woodruff is happy to provide you with the services you need to restore your smile. However, there are several things you can do at home during a dental emergency to relieve discomfort and prevent tooth loss. Here are the three most common dental emergencies and what you can do at home before seeking treatment:
Knocked-Out Tooth
Patients who play impact sports or engage in a physical altercation may have a tooth dislodged from their gums. When this happens, we encourage patients to recover the dislodged tooth immediately. Pick the tooth up by the crown, and avoid touching the root at all costs. If possible, place the tooth back into its original socket and hold it there until you can receive treatment. Otherwise, it is best to keep the dislodged tooth in a warm glass of milk. Keeping the tooth warm and moist will help us greatly in reattaching it. Ideally, you should see a dentist within 30 minutes of having a tooth knocked out for the best likelihood of having the tooth reattached. If the dentist determines your tooth cannot be reattached, restorative dentistry solutions are available to replace missing teeth. Dental implants and dental bridges are great treatment options for patients who have suffered from an unrecoverable knocked-out tooth.
Sudden Tooth Pain
Sudden tooth pain can be a sign of several different issues. If you have recently had a dental procedure, tooth pain can be a sign of an infection at the incision site. Additionally, if it has been a while since you have seen your general dentist, you may be experiencing tooth decay or gum disease which is irritating your teeth and gums. Tooth pain that radiates into the jaw bone may be a sign of a TMJ disorder. All of these issues should be checked out by your dentist as soon as possible. To relieve the discomfort of tooth pain, try applying a cold compress to the side of your cheek. Additionally, over-the-counter pain medicine can help reduce swelling and pain. Do not hold an aspirin directly over the affected area of your mouth as this will only cause further inflammation.
Bleeding Gums
If you notice that your gums are bleeding during or after you brush your teeth, this is not a dental emergency. However, it is a sign that there is buildup around your teeth that you should have professionally cleaned off by a dentist. If you experience any kind of cut on your gums or tongue, we recommend rinsing your mouth out with a homemade saltwater solution to keep the affected area clean and also encourage fast healing. If your gums or mouth continue to bleed, especially after a dental procedure like tooth extraction, make sure to monitor this and report it to your dentist for further instruction.
Schedule An Appointment
The best thing that you can do during a dental emergency is to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Our office offers emergency dentistry solutions and will aim to see you as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment online today or call us at 336.506.6545.