A dental emergency involves any injury or sudden discomfort in your teeth, gums, mouth, or in some cases, jaw. Now, if the issue is potentially life-threatening then you should of course proceed to the emergency room or call 911. Otherwise, you talk to your dentist. When taking a look at common dental emergencies, we hope to fill you in on the dos and don’ts of common emergency situations.
Dos and Don’ts of Dental Emergencies:
Toothache
Don’t: Use anything other than floss.
Do: Gently floss on either side of the tooth. If this fails to dislodge an object or ease discomfort, schedule a visit with the dentist. The doctor will identify the cause of the pain and recommend possible treatment options.
Broken Tooth
Don’t: Ignore the issue or avoid the dentist.
Do: See a dentist right away. If possible, try to gather up any pieces of the tooth. You can place a cold compress against the side of the face to ease swelling and use gauze to stem bleeding. The doctor will repair the tooth with a dental bonding procedure or possibly a restoration. Without treatment, the tooth may develop decay or an infection.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Don’t: Pick the tooth up by the root.
Do: Pick the tooth up by the crown, or visible portion. Rinse the tooth under water to remove dirt, but take care not to remove any tissue. Place the tooth back into your socket or in a glass of milk. Bring it with you when you see the dentist.
Loose/Lost Restoration
Don’t: Try to reattach the restoration with glue or on your own.
Do: If a filling or crown becomes loose contact our office. We will see you as soon as possible and reattach the restoration. If it has become lost we can create a new one.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
