It’s difficult to keep your calm in a dental emergency, but it’s easier to avoid panic if you know what to do next — like calling who provides emergency dental in Marietta GA. Whether it’s a knocked out tooth, a broken tooth, a lost filling, or something else entirely, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn about next steps following the most common dental emergencies.
First: Is This A Dental Emergency?
People often delay urgent care because they are unsure if what they are experiencing is a true dental emergency. If you have doubts about your situation, ask yourself this: are you in pain? Has something broken? Are you bleeding from the mouth? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should call your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Dental problems typically don’t go away on their own.
Second: Find the Tooth Or Its Pieces
If you’ve had a tooth knocked out, a broken tooth, a chipped tooth, or a cracked tooth, it’s important that you collect the tooth or its biggest pieces for possible reattachment. In the case of a knocked out tooth, rinse away any debris, and be careful not to touch the tooth’s root. Store the tooth in its empty socket, in the cheek, or in a bag of milk until you can reach the dentist’s office. Missing teeth have the greatest chance for reattachment when attended to within two hours of loss.
Third: Deal With Pain, Swelling, and Bleeding
You’ll likely have pain, swelling, or bleeding as a result of your dental emergency. For tooth pain related to a toothache or injury, take an over-the-counter pain medication as directed until you can come into the dentist’s office for your emergency appointment.
Reduce swelling related to injuries by applying an ice pack to the affected cheek. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect the skin.
For bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure to the wound with a clean gauze. If bleeding doesn’t stop or slow after 10 minutes, you’ve got a true emergency — head straight to the emergency room.
Fourth: Consider Other Issues
Children often complain of severe tooth pain because they don’t realize there’s something lodged between their teeth. For a child’s toothaches, help them floss their teeth and rinse before contacting the emergency dentist. If pain persists, call the dentist immediately.
Save Our Number!
Help yourself be more prepared for your next urgent dental situation — save phone number in your phone for quick access. And remember, if you’re experiencing pain, any kind of break, or heavy bleeding from the cheeks, tongue, or gums, you’ve got an emergency. Time is of the essence, so call our office immediately!