Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them – hence the name “emergency.” Car accidents, sports injuries, or a simple trip down the stairs can chip or break a tooth on impact. Before you respond in a panic, we wanted to provide a basic guide explaining what to do in a dental emergency.
Plan Ahead – Make Your Own Dental Emergency Kit
Put together a first aid kit for your teeth, with essentials like:
- Bottled Water
- Pain Medication
- Toothache Medicine
- Temporary Dental Cement
- Dental Wax
- Gauze
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
Make sure these items are easy to access when you need them. We recommend having a dental emergency kit in your home and in your car, just in case. It’s cheap to put together, and it could drastically reduce the damage done in a dental emergency.
Assess The Extent Of The Damage
Did the person just bite his tongue, or did he completely knock his teeth out? There is a wide range of scenarios that can result from dental emergencies, so you need to assess how bad the situation is. This will help you determine if you need to get in right away, or if the injury can wait until the next morning. If there is a lot of pain involved, you should go to the dentist no matter how it looks. There could be internal damages that you cannot see on the surface.
Go To The Hospital…
If the injuries lie beyond the mouth, you may need to make a trip to the hospital. Call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance if you are not able to drive yourself.
..OR Call Your Emergency Dentist
If the injuries look to be purely related to the person’s smile, you can contact your emergency dentist directly. We offer emergency dental services here at Clinton Dental Center, and we would be happy to assist you. Contact us at [phone_formatted] for emergency dental care.
Take Care Of Your Teeth Afterward
Oral injuries often require a unique set of aftercare instructions determining what you can eat, how you can sleep, etc. Follow your aftercare instructions carefully to avoid long-term damage. For most people, this means not eating solid foods for a stretch of time, or using a sensitive toothbrush with soft bristles on it. Ask your dentist about other steps you may need to take to improve your healing, and you will be back to normal in no time.
