Tips for Handling Dental Emergencies
October 30, 2020 10:00 pm
Dental emergencies are sometimes the result of a poor oral hygiene routine or inadequate protection when playing sports. To help prevent stressful dental emergencies, be sure to: brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time; floss every day; visit Henson Family Dental every six months for a cleaning and checkup; and wear a custom-fitted mouthguard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night.
Other times, a dental emergency can’t be prevented. But whatever the emergency is and how it occurred, it needs to be addressed right away.
Here are some tips on how to handle a dental emergency!
Know What Is Considered a Dental Emergency
Many dental emergencies involve pain, bleeding, and/or loss of dental function.
For example, an infection can cause a toothache. If not dealt with, the infection can spread.
A crack or break in your tooth can also cause pain or sensitivity. But even if you aren’t experiencing pain, a crack can weaken your tooth and expose it to infection. This makes further damage more likely.
Lost dental restorations, broken dentures, and knocked-out adult teeth are also emergencies. In fact, a knocked-out permanent tooth requires immediate treatment to save the tooth!
Have a Dental First-Aid Kit
Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, so it’s a good idea to keep a dental kit with you. You can store it in your car or somewhere else that’s easily accessible.
A basic kit should include non-woven gauze, floss, a pain reliever, and a small container to transport a tooth or tooth fragments. An empty prescription bottle works. A little salt packet is also a good idea since rinsing with warm salt water can help soothe pain and promote healing.
Call Us ASAP!
Save our number (813)-988-9800 into your phone so if you experience an emergency, you can call us right away. Dr. Henson and our team understand how stressful and even scary an emergency can be. Henson Family Dental offers same-day emergency appointments to get you the care you need when you need it!
If you have any questions about dental emergencies or our other services, please contact Henson Family Dental, your emergency dentist in Temple Terrace, FL!