You were just trying to enjoy a movie on a cold night, but now you find yourself staring into the mirror at a severely broken tooth. You were eating some popcorn and accidentally bit right into a kernel. You knew something was wrong as soon as you felt the crack. Now what? You can’t wait a week to get this fixed. This is the exact type of situation where you should call your emergency dentist in Harker Heights. It’s the only way to get the immediate care that you need. What are some other situations where you should do this?
What Is A Dental Emergency?
You might be asking yourself, “What qualifies as a dental emergency?” You don’t want to overreact and rush to the dentist’s office if it’s not serious. The biggest indicator is pain; if you are in so much dental pain that you cannot focus on anything else, it’s probably a dental emergency. Some common examples are:
- Knocked out tooth
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Severe toothache
- Injury to the gums or jaw
- Large object caught between teeth
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw
In any of these situations, you need to act fast so you can get the care you need.
What You Can Do
The first thing you need to do is stay calm. This will enable you to think clearly and take action. You should then immediately call your dentist in Harker Heights. In fact, you should put our number in your phone right now so that you don’t have to look it up while injured. We will always try to see you as soon as possible, and let you know how to provide first-aid over the phone. If you call after hours, our voicemail system will put you in touch with our on-call staff member.
Some common tips for dental emergencies are:
- Keep a knocked out or broken tooth wet, whether it means placing it back in your mouth or even in a container of milk. These will help preserve it until we can see you.
- Wash the injured area with warm water to help lower the risk of infection.
- Use a cold compress to minimize any pain you are experiencing.
- Ideally, have someone else drive you to the office.
One way you can prevent a dental emergency is to be careful while you are chewing really hard foods, especially ones with bones. Be particularly careful with popcorn. Also, a simple check-up at Market Heights Family Dental can help catch something that might cause you to have an emergency down the road.
Any Questions?
A dental emergency can be very stressful, but a plan can make all the difference when it comes to saving your teeth and reducing your pain. We are your plan, and we know we can take care of you in those vital moments.
If you’d like to know more about what to do in a dental emergency, or how to prevent one, please call us today.