With COVID-19, many dental offices have adopted restricted hours and services. Often, they’ve only been offering emergency dental services. At Austin Dental Care, we’re always here to give you emergency care. Dr. Glen Wainwright, a dentist in Austin, TX, discusses what constitutes a dental emergency and what you can do to help until you’re seen in the office.
Handling a Dental Emergency
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is to call our office. We want to make sure that we get you in here and taken care of as soon as possible. Below is a list of common dental emergencies and what you can do for them until you’re in the office.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain isn’t something that you should just brush aside, particularly if it’s sharp or comes on very suddenly. It can be caused by a wide variety of conditions. These include things like extreme tooth decay, an abscess, or an infection. In many cases, it’s impossible to tell exactly what the cause is until a dentist does an examination. Take over the counter pain medications to help the pain and a cold compress to ease any swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Your first reaction when an adult tooth is knocked out may be to panic. However, you have to remain calm and try to retrieve the tooth. Be cautious and pick it up only by the crown and avoid touching the tooth root. Gently rinse off any dirt or debris that is on the tooth. Put it in a cup of milk or your own saliva to try and preserve it. Never try to put the tooth back into the socket by yourself.
When you get to the office, Dr. Wainwright will analyze the tooth to determine if it’s viable to replace. If it isn’t, you don’t have to worry. Our office offers multiple options to replace missing teeth. In particular, we recommend dental implants. They’re often considered the gold standard of tooth replacement. They’re more stable and look and feel the most natural, compared to other forms of tooth replacement. Learn more about dental implants.
Broken Dental Restorations
Dental restorations are made to be durable and long-lasting. However, accidents happen and mistakes are made. What you should do depends on the form of restoration that’s been broken. If you lost or broke a dental crown, try to find the pieces. Most likely, the dentist won’t be able to replace this crown. Don’t try to use superglue or anything else to replace the crown yourself. It may harm your tooth. Most likely, the dentist will make you a new crown.
If you’ve broken a dental bridge or denture, retrieve all of the pieces and bring them to the appointment with you. Dr. Wainwright will determine if it’s better to repair and replace your restoration or if a new one should be crafted.
Your Dentist in Austin, Texas
If you have a dental emergency, call us immediately. We’ll also be here for you when pandemic restrictions are lifted. Make sure the stress of the crisis hasn’t impacted your smile. Call us or schedule an appointment online today!