Don’t ignore tooth pain, oral injury or that feeling that something is wrong in your mouth. Dr. Timothy Vacek, emergency dentist in Waverly, says know your teeth, and he wants you to call Amberly Dental right away with a pressing dental problem. He and his competent staff put your health first and will help you immediately.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a oral health situation which needs fast attention because it is painful, endangers overall health or ruins smile aesthetics. The following are examples of dental emergencies:
- Broken or displaced jaw
- Dental abscess, or infection, with foul tasting drainage and persistent bad breath
- A throbbing toothache or jaw pain
- Lost filling, dental crown or other restoration
- Cracked full or partial denture
- Broken or lost crown or bridge
- One or more avulsed (knocked out) teeth from a fall, sports injury, car accident or blow to the face
- Bleeding laceration on the tongue, lips or other soft oral tissues
Dr. Vacek urges contact with the office immediately for first aid or to arrange a same-day appointment. For life-threatening injuries, such as heavy bleeding that will not stop, go to the nearest hospital ER.
Emergency Measures
If you break or knock out a tooth, save the fragments in a sealed container, and cover them with milk or over the counter tooth preservative. Rinse an avulsed tooth with water, leaving remaining soft tissue on the tooth. Put the tooth back in the socket if possible, and hold it while travelling to Amberly Dental. Or, place the tooth in milk or tooth preservative. You might put the tooth between cheek and gums while going to the dental office. Research shows that if an avulsed tooth is reimplanted quickly by your dentist, it will likely survive the injury and live on for years.
If you have a toothache or symptoms of abscess, take over the counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain. Do not take aspirin. A warm compress provides comfort. Call the office right away.
Soft tissue lacerations require direct pressure with sterile gauze pads or a clean cloth. Ice the area to decrease swelling. If serious bleeding won’t resolve within 10 to 15 minutes, transport to the hospital ER.
Be Proactive about Your Dental Health
Protect your mouth with a custom-made mouthguard when playing sports, even non-contact sports, such as running. Refrain from hard foods such as ice, taffy and peanut brittle. Open plastic packaging with scissors rather than your teeth, or use bottle openers for cold beverages. Don’t bite fingernails, pencil-tops or other non-foods.
Come to Amberly Dental semi-annually for your prophylactic exam and hygienic cleaning because these services help avoid urgent health problems. Also, the dentist spots issues while they are small and treatable.
Act Right Away
Contact Amberly Dental when you or a loved one has a dental emergency. Oral health depends on quick action, knowing your teeth well, and how to take care of them.