Dentist in Corpus Christi Says Do This in Dental Emergencies

You’re normally a very cautious person, but today you’ve decided to be adventurous and participate in a pick-up game of football with some friends. On one particular play, you dodge would-be tacklers and race for what you thought would be a touchdown, but there is one man to beat. He has an angle on you and manages to tackle you just short of the goal line, which is no big deal. It’s just that as you fell to the ground you hit your tooth on his knee, which knocked it loose. Your dentist in Corpus Christi classifies this as a dental emergency. Learn what you should do next.

Examples of Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is a situation that causes or displays a sudden change in the normal healthy state of your mouth. In such a situation, the first thing to do is reach out to your emergency dentist in Corpus Christi. The following situations qualify as dental emergencies.

• Partially Dislodged Tooth – This is a tooth that is partially loosened from its socket.
• Knocked out Tooth – The tooth has been completely dislodged from the socket.
• Broken Tooth – There is a crack or break to the tooth.
• Bad Toothache – When there is persistent pain in the tooth, it can be a sign of cavity, decay, or gum disease.
• Jaw Injury – This is trauma or injury to your jawbone that could be a sign of a fracture.
• Object Stuck in Teeth – When a foreign object is stuck in your teeth your body can respond by causing inflammation in the area.

What You Can Do Until Your Dentist Sees You

Until you can be seen, use the following methods to stabilize the affected area.

• Partially Dislodged Tooth – Try to stabilize the tooth in the root by not eating anything, which could encourage further movement.
• Knocked Out Tooth – If you still have the tooth, hold it only by the crown and carefully rinse away any dirt or foreign debris with water. Then carefully place the tooth back into its original position so that it can reattach.
• Broken Tooth – If your tooth is broken significantly, gather the lost pieces and secure them so that you can give them to your dentist when you are seen. Use a cold compress to reduce any swelling.
• Bad Toothache/Jaw Injury/Object Stuck in Teeth – Floss and rinse thoroughly to dislodge any food particles or foreign debris stuck in your teeth. Apply a cold compress to your jaw to reduce any swelling due to trauma or irritation. If there is continued pain, you can take ibuprofen (Advil) to alleviate it.

Your holiday celebrations don’t have to be ruined because of your dental emergency. Take these steps for temporary relief, and be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your dentist.

About the Author

John T. Thompson, DDS earned his doctorate of dental surgery from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1985. Truly passionate about seeing people smile, he completes numerous hours each year of continuing education in order to stay abreast of all the advances in the field of dentistry. He practices at John T. Thompson DDS and can be reached for more information about his services at his website.