Dental Problems that Require Emergency Care

 

When dental issues arise, the first thing you should do is called your local emergency dentist.

 

You’re enjoying a rousing game of touch football with friends when miracle of miracles, the ball is thrown right to you. You run towards the goal line, your heart is pumping and your adrenaline is rising as your friends bound down the field to catch up with you. Suddenly you feel yourself being pulled to the ground. In all the jostling and shuffling to escape the mound of tacklers you may not have noticed that you suffered an injurious blow to your smile. Accidents happen, and they don’t always have to be the result of an exciting game. Even simply biting down on a crunchy snack can chip or fracture a tooth. Here are the situations that would warrant to trip to see your Lehi emergency dentist:

It’s important to save as much of the tooth as possible, so gather as many of the chipped pieces as you can find. Rinse your mouth out with warm water. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth. Then come right to our dental office.

 

This can be an alarming situation. The most important thing to do is remain calm. Once you find the tooth, make sure to rinse it off if it’s dirty. Handle the tooth gently, and don’t scrub it. Without forcing it, try to put the tooth back into place, if possible. If this isn’t successful, then put the tooth in a glass of milk and see your local emergency dentist right away. Most teeth can be saved if they are treated within an hour of being knocked out. 

 

There are several reasons why you could be experiencing tooth pain, including decay, root canal failure, or an infection. If there is food lodged between your teeth, use floss to carefully remove it. If there is swelling, use a cold compress on the side of your face where there is swelling. Then pick up the phone and give us a call. The sooner you see your dentist, the better the outcome will be.

 

While these tend to be the most common dental emergencies, there are many other reasons you may need to see your Lehi dentist right away including a lost crown, broken braces, or abscesses. If in doubt, give our office a call and we’ll let you know whether you should make an emergency visit to see us. Better to be safe than sorry!