You’ve heard dental nightmare stories from friends, family, colleagues, or articles on the internet. But are you prepared for a dental emergency of your own? Depending on your lifestyle, cracking or losing a tooth is probably unlikely. Sustaining an oral injury is probably even more unlikely. However, it’s imperative you have a plan in place similar to an emergency escape plan for your home in the event of a fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
You want to know that if you, or a loved one in your presence, sustains an injury to their mouth that you know what to do, how to handle it, and who to call. In this post, we’re going to share four tips from your family dentist in Boulder, and we’ll also discuss how to avoid a dental emergency altogether. Read on to learn more!
Four Family Dentist Tips on Dental Emergencies
- Lost a tooth. If you happen to lose a tooth, you want to keep it moist. Attempt to place the tooth back in the socket to cover up the root. If that does not work, keep the tooth between your cheek and teeth, or place it in a glass of milk. Finally, get to an emergency dentist immediately.
- Broken or cracked tooth. Rinse your mouth and the affected tooth with warm water until all visible debris is removed. Then, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth over the affected tooth to reduce swelling. See your dentist as soon as possible.
- Bite your tongue, cheek, or lips. Rinse the broken skin with warm water, removing any and all debris. Next, use ice in a bag with a cloth to reduce potential swelling. If bleeding does not stop shortly after cold compress, seek emergency care immediately.
- Toothache. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to carefully clean the spaces around the affected tooth. In some cases, a piece of food is stuck and causing discomfort. If the discomfort or pain persists, call your family dentist in Boulder to schedule an appointment.
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies Altogether
In most cases, we can be proactive in our efforts to avoid a dental emergency before it has a chance to happen. This is the best case scenario. However, it’s important to prepare for the worst but expect the best. Here are three ways to avoid dental emergency visits:
- Wear custom-made mouth guards during moderate to heavy contact sports.
- Never use your teeth to open plastic bags, tear material, or open bottles.
- Avoid chewing, biting, or crushing hard candies, hard foods, popcorn kernels, or similar edible items
The goal with dental emergency avoidance is to reduce the chance of chipping, cracking, or losing a tooth due to injuries, lifestyle, or accidents. As long as you stay aware and avoid situations or choices that jeopardize your oral health, you will reduce the chance of needing to visit your family dentist in Boulder for an emergency.
Your Family Dentistry Practice in Boulder
All of our patients and their dental needs are unique to their lives. At Boulder Dental Designs, we strive to accommodate each and every one of our patients on their journey toward sustainable oral health. If you’re in need of an emergency dental visit or would like to schedule a routine dental checkup at our dental office, call us today!
