With the additional stress of the pandemic, more stress and tension is being put on your teeth. This can lead to higher amounts of dental emergencies. But what should you do in the event of an emergency dental issue? Dr. Raymond Ribitch of Mid Michigan Smiles, a dentist in Mt. Pleasant, MI, offers some tips.
Handling a Dental Emergency
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our office immediately. We want to make sure we get you seen as quickly as possible. Below is a list of common dental emergencies and what you can do to help until you’re seen.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never something you should ignore or brush off. It can be caused by a variety of conditions. These include extreme tooth decay, an abscess, or an infection. In many instances, these conditions can’t be detected without an examination from a dentist. Use over the counter pain medications to ease the pain and a cold compress if you experience any swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
The most important thing to do is not panic. You want to be calm enough to find your tooth and make sure you only pick it up by the crown, never touching the tooth root. Gently rinse off any dirt and debris that may have accumulated on it. Place the tooth in a cup of milk or your own saliva to help preserve it. Never try to put the tooth back into your mouth on your own.
Bring the tooth with you to your appointment. Dr. Ribitch will take a look to see if it’s still viable for replacement. If not, our office offers multiple solutions for replacing missing teeth. In particular, we recommend dental implants. They feel and look the most natural with your smile and provide a stability that other restorations don’t have.
Broken Dental Restoration
The process of helping with a broken restoration depends on the type. If you have a broken or missing dental crown, retrieve the pieces if they’ve fallen out. Never try to glue the restoration together or glue it back to your tooth. Try to avoid doing anything on that side of your mouth. Usually, a dental crown can’t be repaired, so a new one will have to be made for you.
If a dental bridge or denture breaks, make sure you retrieve all the pieces. Bring them with you to your dental appointment, but never try to put the restoration back together by yourself. The dentist will see if it’s possible to repair your restoration or if an entirely new one will have to be made.
Your Dentist in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. We’re also here to make sure the stress of the pandemic hasn’t done other damage to your smile. Call us or schedule an appointment online today!