Whether you were in a recent accident, had a traumatic fall, or have a toothache you may have a dental emergency. Many patients discount their pain and do not visit Dr. Viet Tran and his team when they have a true dental emergency because they think it is not a ‘big deal’. Well, if you are in excruciating pain or you have experienced one of the dental emergencies below, visit Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away.
1. Missing or Dislodged tooth
If your child plays a contact sport, they should always wear a mouthguard. This can prevent a dental emergency such as a cracked, missing, or dislodged tooth. However, if their tooth falls out, it is important to get to Smiles of Memorial, or any dentist, within 30 minutes. This will preserve the tooth so Dr. Viet Tran and his team can hopefully save your natural tooth. If you or your child’s tooth dislodges, gently hold it in place in the mouth until you get to the dentist. If the tooth falls out, quickly rinse it under water. Avoid scrubbing the tooth. This can damage the tissue and roots of the tooth. Gently try to put it back in place, but do not force it in. If it does not go back into its original position, place the tooth in a bag or cup of milk and go to Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas for a dental emergency appointment right away. Before you reach the dentist, you can relieve the pain with a cold compress on the cheek and/or take an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil.
2. Toothache or Chipped Tooth
The first step you should take with a toothache is to thoroughly brush your teeth and rinse your mouth. Then, carefully floss between the teeth. Many times a toothache dental emergency can be caused by an object lodged in between the teeth. If you see the object between your teeth, only use dental floss, never other sharp tools, to remove the object. If you cannot remove it, call Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas to make an appointment right away.
First, for a chipped tooth dental emergency, remember to collect the pieces that disconnected from the tooth. These may be important parts of saving your tooth. Next, rinse your mouth and tooth chips with water. Finally, apply pressure with a tissue or gauze to bleeding areas and visit Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial right away. In either situation, if pain continues, you can put a cold compress on the affected area and take over the counter medication such as Tylenol or Advil.
3. Lost Crown or Filling
Although a lost crown or filling is not as time sensitive as a missing tooth dental emergency, it is still important to visit Dr. Viet Tran right away to avoid further decay and damage to the affected tooth. To prevent further decay, you can fill your cavity with dental cement or sugar-free gum before visiting Dr. Viet Tran. For your dental crown, you can place clove oil or dental cement in the crown and temporarily reattach it to the tooth. Remember, these are not permanent solutions and you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Viet Tran and his team at Smiles of Memorial right after you lose the crown or filling.
4. Abscess
Although you may not be familiar with this term, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this dental emergency. If untreated, this infection can spread throughout your body causing damage to your oral and overall health. So, what is an abscess dental emergency? Typically, an abscess presents as a painful, pimple-like bulge on your gums around your teeth. Before your dental appointment, rinse with salt water to relieve the pain. Then, call Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away to plan your visit.
What do I do in a Dental Emergency?
Your oral health may be more important to your overall health than you initially realize. This is why dental emergencies should be taken seriously. If you have a missing or dislodged tooth, toothache, chipped tooth, lost crown or filling, or a dental abscess, make a dental emergency appointment with Dr. Viet Tran at Smiles of Memorial in Houston, Texas right away! For more information, or to plan your next visit call (281)-493-0061, today!