You do your best to take care of your mouth. You follow the ADA guidelines, brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once per day. You even have your teeth regularly professionally cleaned and examined. All of this effort goes into keeping your teeth healthy and strong. However, even with proper oral care, it is still possible to experience a dental emergency. There are numerous types of dental emergencies, all ranging in severity. No matter what type of dental emergency you experience, it is easy to panic when one occurs. At PDX Center for Dentistry, we are here for you in the event of your dental emergency and can help you to get the treatment you need to restore your oral health.
Care at Home
When you experience a dental emergency, it is easy to panic. You may even think that you need to rush off to the emergency room, especially if it is after normal office hours. Not all dental emergencies require a trip to the ER. In fact, not all dental emergencies even require care in our office. There are several emergencies that can be taken care of at home. One such injury that can be cared for at home is a bitten lip, check, or tongue. To stop bleeding, place clean gauze on the wounds and apply light pressure. The bleeding should stop within a few minutes. You may experience some pain and swelling, but these can be managed with over the counter pain relievers and ice. The injury should heal within a couple of days. However, if the bleeding lasts longer than 15 minutes, or is heavy, then you should call our office immediately. While toothaches often indicate an infection or another issue, some toothaches do not. Before calling the office, brush and floss your teeth thoroughly and rinse with a salt water solution. Sometimes, a toothache can be caused by food stuck between your teeth. If there is nothing stuck, or you notice any signs of an infection, call the office.
Emergency Care in Our Office
We can take care of a wide variety of different dental emergencies right here in our office. Common emergencies we can treat include:
• | Cracked teeth. A cracked tooth should be treated quickly. If the crack extends into the inner layers of the tooth, it can lead to a serious infection. Rinse your mouth with warm water. When you come in, we can determine the extent of the damage and recommend a treatment based on your situation. |
• | A tooth that has been knocked out. We can often replant an avulsed or knocked out a tooth. First, find the tooth. If it is dirty, run it under cool water. Do not touch the root of the tooth. Store the tooth in a jar of milk until your appointment. We can replant the tooth and use a split to hold it in place. If the tooth cannot be replanted, options for replacement can be discussed. |
• | Teeth that are displaced. Sometimes, a tooth may get forced deeper into the socket. Alternatively, a tooth may become partially dislodged. In either case, it is important that you do not try to reposition the tooth yourself. Use ice for swelling and over the counter pain relievers for discomfort until your appointment. We can then reposition the tooth and stabilize it with a splint. |
When it is Time to Go to the ER
While we can treat a wide array of emergencies, there are sometimes when it becomes necessary to go straight to the emergency room. Such situations include:
• | You are experiencing excessive bleeding. |
• | You are having trouble breathing. |
• | You think that you may have broken your jaw. |
Dental emergencies can be scary, but they can be treated. For more information, call PDX Center for Dentistry at (503) 546-9079 today.