You may be diligent with your oral hygiene and visiting your Hendersonville, NC dentist. But a dental emergency can happen anytime, to anyone. So what should you do if you’re experiencing a dental emergency? Dr. Jessica Christy of Orchard Hill Dental provides some helpful info.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a dental problem that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. They aren’t something you want to let go of. The first thing you need to do is call our Hendersonville, NC dentist office so we can get you in ASAP. Below, Dr. Christy lists some common dental emergencies and what you can do until you’re seen in the office.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never something that should be ignored, especially if it’s sharp or comes on suddenly. It can be caused by a variety of issues, many of which are unable to be determined unless a dentist examines it. These include abscess, infection, or tooth decay. Take over the counter pain medication to help ease the pain and use a cold compress if you experience any swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Your first reaction if an adult tooth gets knocked out may be to panic. However, it’s important to try and remain calm and find the tooth. Make sure to only pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the tooth root. Gently rinse off any dirt and debris that accumulated on the tooth. Place it in a cup of milk or your own saliva to try and preserve it.
When you get to the office, Dr. Christy can evaluate the tooth and see if it’s still viable for replacement. If not, you don’t have to worry. Our office provides multiple methods of tooth replacement. In particular, we recommend dental implants. They’re the most natural, stable way to replace a tooth. There’s a reason why they’re considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
Broken Restoration
For a broken restoration, it’ll depend on what broke to determine how we handle it. If you have a broken or missing dental crown, try to gather the pieces. Often, we’re not able to repair and replace a dental crown, but get the pieces just in case. Don’t try to replace or glue the crown back to your tooth. If needed, a fully new custom crown will be made for you.
If something like a bridge or denture breaks, again make sure that you try to recover all of the pieces. For one of these restorations, they can sometimes be repaired so that you don’t have to get a replacement. Dr. Christy will take a look at your broken restoration and determine if it’s better to have it fixed or replaced.
Your Emergency Dentist in Hendersonville, North Carolina
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please contact us immediately. To make an appointment to try and prevent a dental emergency in the future, call us or schedule an appointment online.