Dental emergencies are possibly the most stressful cases to address because they’re unforeseeable — that’s what makes them an emergency. If you’re experiencing chronic tooth pain, it’s probably the result of an infection. You’ll need to treat that infection with root canal therapy and a dental crown. A dental emergency doesn’t have warning signs. If your tooth cracks, breaks, or falls out suddenly, it’s not something you plan for. While you can’t plan to prevent a dental emergency, you can understand how to react. Knowing what to do next can give you the best possible outlook.
When a Dental Emergency Occurs, Stay Calm
Losing or breaking a tooth can be a traumatic experience. You might not even understand the full extent of the damage to your teeth in some cases. In any dental emergency, staying calm will help. If you remain calm, you can react with a clear head and address the problem quickly. If you lose a tooth, gather that tooth and place it in milk. If the tooth is undamaged and clean, you may even try to replace it into its socket. After you gather your tooth (or any pieces of your tooth), you should reach out to your emergency dentist.
Know Who Your Dentist Is in Case of an Emergency
Dental emergencies don’t always happen during business hours, and it’s not like you can schedule treatment for them six months out. You need to have an emergency dentist who you trust already in place before an emergency happens. Emergency dentists can field your emergency outside of business hours and make arrangements to treat you as soon as possible. Receiving treatment in a timely fashion can make all the difference when it comes to the prognosis for your condition. Make sure you know who to call during a dental emergency.
Tooth Extraction May Be the Best Course of Action
In some cases, your dentist may be able to reinsert your natural tooth into your mouth and allow it to heal. In cases where your tooth has broken or has become a danger to the other teeth in your mouth, your dentist may need to perform extraction on the remainder of the tooth. Your dentist will always try to preserve the natural structure of your tooth, but if the situation calls for it, extraction may be necessary. Following tooth extraction, your dentist can help you choose a dental prosthetic to replace your missing tooth.
Do You Know Who to Call During a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are stressful and can be traumatic. If you have a contingency plan in place, then you can react calmly and quickly during an emergency. Smith Family Dentistry can address dental emergencies in a timely fashion. Our professional and knowledgeable staff will help you stay calm during difficult moments. If you experience a dental emergency, contact Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX at 903-455-5750.