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Scared of Dental Emergencies? Learn How to Handle It with Guidance from Our Professionals

Scared of Dental Emergencies? Learn How to Handle It with Guidance from Our Professionals

Jul 16, 2020

A dental emergency can scare even the most strong-hearted individual unless he or she knows about handling dental emergencies. Dental issues like injuries to the teeth or the soft tissue are potentially dangerous conditions and must never be ignored. The result of neglecting a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage besides the need for extensive and expensive treatments.

Our experts have compiled a list of dos and don’ts when you experience a dental emergency and are scared of the situation. We believe they can remove the fear of a dental emergency from your mind and make you capable of handling the case appropriately.

Here is a summary of what you can do for some common dental issues.

Knocked-out Tooth

If you have a knocked-out tooth, retrieve it by holding the crown and rinse the tooth root if it is dirty. Do not scrub the tooth roots as it may remove the fragments of any attached tissue. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket, making sure it is facing the right way. If you cannot reinsert the tooth into the socket, put it in a tiny container of milk. Attempt to contact the dentist in Leesburg immediately and visit the dental practice within the hour to increase the chances of saving your tooth.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

Preserve tiny pieces by rinsing your mouth with warm water. You can apply gauze to the area if you are experiencing bleeding for approximately 10 minutes or until the bleeding subsides. Apply a cold compress to your cheeks or lips near the broken or chipped tooth to keep swelling down and relieve pain. Visit the dentist as soon as possible.

Partially Dislodged Tooth

Visiting your dentist right away should be a goal when you have a partially dislodged tooth. You can relieve pain by applying a cold compress on the outside of the mouth in the affected area and take over-the-counter pain medications if needed.

Toothaches

Thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food trapped between your teeth. If swelling is present, apply a cold compress on your cheeks without putting any medications against the gums near the aching tooth. See your dentist at the earliest.

Lost Crown

Make an appointment to see Dr. Jane O. Stewart as soon as possible if a crown falls off and carry the crown with you. If you cannot get to the dentist right away and the tooth is painful, a cotton swab with some clove oil can be applied to the sensitive area. If possible, try to slip the crown back over the tooth by coating the inner surface with over-the-counter dental cement or denture adhesive. Do not use super glue as it is not designed for such purposes.

Abscesses

An abscess is an infection that occurs around the root of the tooth or the space between the teeth and gums. Ulcers are severe conditions that can damage the surrounding teeth and tissue and spread to other parts of the body when left untreated. Abscesses can cause concerning oral and general health problems making it necessary for you to visit The Dental Co of Leesburg for prompt attention.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth, including the tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums can result in bleeding. You can control the bleeding by using the following steps.

  • Rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution.
  • Use a moistened piece of gauze to apply pressure to the site of the bleeding by holding it in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • You can control bleeding and relieve pain by holding a cold compress to the exterior of your mouth or cheek for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • If the bleeding does not subside, you can either rush to the dentist or visit a hospital emergency room. You must continue applying pressure to the bleeding site with the gauze until you receive treatment.

The suggestions discussed in this blog are helpful to handle most dental emergencies. You must, however, remove the fear from your mind, which can cause panic and encourage you to make the wrong decisions. Although dental emergencies are scary, they can be handled easily if you continue thinking calmly without panicking.

We are family-focused dentistry and our dentists are offering dental services around these areas of Leesburg, VA:

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