Straight Teeth in Less Time
See Your Dentist Or Go To The Emergency Room For A Dental Emergency?
Lois Murray
Most people understand they need to see their general dentist twice a year for routine care. However, they wonder what they should do if there is a dental emergency. Depending on the situation, you may feel it is important to go to the emergency room or try to get in with a specialist to take care of the problem. The truth is, unless the emergency is such that you are going to need surgery, it is best to see the general dentist. Here are a few of the common emergencies they can take care of.
Missing Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, the important thing is to find the tooth and put it in a glass of milk. Contact your dentist explaining the situation and head to their office immediately. They will be able to put the tooth back in place and secure it for you.
Abscess
When you notice a large, inflamed area of the gums that hurts, it could be an abscess. This is an infection that can travel through your bloodstream to other organs and parts of your body. Your general dentist can prescribe the antibiotics to clear the infection. Once the infection is gone, the dentist will clean the area and repair any damage to the tooth.
Chip or Crack
While a chip or crack may not be a true emergency, if it is painful or causing tears in your cheeks or lips, you should see your dentist. They can prepare a simple cap for the tooth that will cover any flaw. They can use the material that is used for a composite filling.
Bleeding or Pain
If you have been hit in the mouth and cannot get it to stop bleeding, it is best to see your dentist immediately. In addition, if you have extreme pain in a tooth and cannot stop it, a trip to the dentist is a good idea.
Sometimes, it is not possible to see a dentist immediately. Take a few minutes to sit and assess the situation. If you absolutely cannot wait for the dentist, go to a quick care or emergency room. They will be able to stop any bleeding or pain and can prescribe an antibiotic. However, that is about all they can do. They will tell you to make an appointment with your general dental practitioner to solve the issue. Since you are going to need to see the dentist anyway, going to the ER or quick care should only be done to help you make it through until you can see the dentist.
To learn more about dental emergencies, visit websites like https://valleyoakdentalgroup.com/.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.