What Should You do During a Dental Emergency?

Have you ever had a dental emergency, such as a broken tooth or injured soft tissues of the mouth? Did you take the necessary action before reaching out to a dentist? Most patients who face dental emergencies tend to panic, which can deny them the required first aid. Here’s how you should ideally handle different dental emergencies.

Broken tooth

A broken or chipped tooth can be the result of external oral trauma, such as during a sports-related incident, automobile accidents, a bad fall, etc. Though the enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it can break or crack under high impact forces. It can lead to severe pain and bleeding as the underlying nerves, and blood vessels will be disturbed. Rinse your mouth with cool water to remove the blood and debris. Use a clean piece of gauze to apply pressure on the wound and control the bleeding. You may also place a cold pack or a damp washcloth on the cheek to reduce swelling and pain. Call us immediately so that we can stay prepared for your arrival at our dental practice.

Avulsed tooth

An avulsed tooth is one that is completely uprooted from the mouth. Such an incident usually occurs due to a sharp blow to the mouth, making it extremely painful. However, if you can reach us with the avulsed tooth within an hour of the incident, we may be able to put the tooth back in the socket so that it adheres to the surrounding tissues as before. If you find the avulsed tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse it with clean water. Avoid touching the root as the microbes in your hand could infect it. Use a clean piece of gauze and a cold pack to control the bleeding and reduce pain and swelling. Rush to us immediately.

Injured lips or soft tissues

You could accidentally bite your tongue or soft inner lining of the mouth while chewing food. Sometimes, patients experience soft tissue injury due to accidental falls or dental braces. In such cases, apply pressure on the injured area using a clean piece of gauze to facilitate the formation of a clot. Visit our dental practice so that we can examine the wound and suggest suitable treatment.

To learn more about the care you can receive from us, or have more questions about dealing with an emergency in Nashville, Tennessee. Please feel free to call Stein Dental Care at 615-540-0888. Our dentist, Dr. Alan Stein, will gladly help you deal with any emergency you could be dealing with.