Dental Health Emergencies: The Proper Response To Common Tooth Related Problems
Most dental health problems will develop over the course of time. For instance, it can take several months or longer to develop a cavity that requires the attention of a dentist. However, there are also several dental health problems that can occur rapidly and may require immediate care in order to prevent serious consequences. Below you will learn how to properly respond to a few of these common tooth related problems.
Problem: Severe Toothache
Solution: If you experience a sudden and severe onset of pain in your tooth or the surrounding tissue, begin by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. Next, gently use a piece of dental floss to clean around the tooth in order to ensure there are no food particles stuck between your teeth. Finally, take an over-the-counter pain medication. If these steps fail to relieve your pain, you will need to seek the assistance of an emergency dental clinic so that the tooth can be repaired or extracted.
Problem: Lost Dental Crown
Solution: If one of your dental crowns falls off, you will need to take steps to protect both the underlying tooth and the crown. Begin by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water in order to remove any bacteria and debris from around the damaged tooth. Next, rinse the crown under a warm faucet in order to remove debris from inside the crown. Using a mixture of cornstarch and petroleum jelly, fill the crown and place it back on your damaged tooth. Gently bite down until the crown is fully seated on your tooth. While this repair is only temporary, it should last until you are able to make an appointment to see your dentist. Therefore, this issue should not require the use of emergency care.
Problem: Tooth Is Knocked Out
Solution: If your tooth is knocked out of your mouth due to trauma, your dentist may be able to save the tooth if the proper steps are taken. First, holding the tooth by the crown, rinse the root of the tooth under a gentle stream of warm water. Next, place the tooth in a shallow cup of milk or your own saliva to preserve it until you are able to get to a dentist. Finally, locate a 24-hour dentist such as Hernandez Dental seek immediate treatment. In the event that an emergency dentist is not available, you may need to seek emergency care through a local hospital.
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