It’s a mild Virginia day, and you’re taking advantage of the nice weather by going out and playing a game of basketball. Suddenly, you collide with another player and in an instant, find yourself staring at one of your teeth lying on the ground. What should you do about this dental trauma? You wonder. Who should you call? These questions and more are answered as you read on.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Any situation that suddenly alters the state of your oral health is considered a dental emergency. It can involve something that happens immediately or may be the result of a problem that’s been developing and has reached its crescendo. If you find yourself in such a situation, there are two thoughts that you should focus your mind on:
- Calm Down – Remaining calm is easier said than done, but it’s vital to your health in emergency situations. That’s because it will allow you to think clearly and make the right decisions within the small window of opportunity that you have.
- Contact Your Dentist – After you gotten over the initial shock, you should then reach out to your dentist’s office to inform the trained staff of what has happened. They will be able to direct you from there as to what steps to take to be examined.
Before calling, though, it’s good to know what’s an actual dental emergency.
Three Common Types of Dental Trauma
Let’s take a look at a few examples of dental emergencies and what you should do in each situation:
- Knocked-out tooth – If you lose a tooth, then the first thing you should do is clean your hands, grab it by the crown and carefully place it in its rightful place. Another option is to let the tooth soak in a cup of milk. In this situation, it’s imperative that you see your dentist soon because you have a two-hour window to have the tooth reinserted.
- Broken or fractured tooth – A broken or fractured tooth can happen in an instant from eating certain items to even being involved in a collision, and you may notice some discomfort initially. After contacting your dentist, be sure not to chew on that side of your mouth. One plus is that your body will already be working towards healing, as your saliva will begin re-mineralizing the tooth.
- Bleeding gums – Your gums can bleed for several reasons, whether its gum disease or from some form of laceration. If you have continuous bleeding, you should head to the emergency room. In more moderate cases, you can bite down on a cotton gauze to reduce the bleeding.
How to Prevent Emergencies
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to lessen the chance of being involved in dental emergencies. If you participate in any type of sport that involves contact, it’s best to wear a mouthguard and to prevent bleeding, be careful when eating.
If you find yourself in a traumatic situation, remember that your local dentist is highly skilled and ready to help you out.
About the Practice
Dr. Hooks welcomes you to their Altavista, VA dental practice. At Hooks Family Dentistry, we treat patients of all ages and warmly welcome you and your family to our clinic.
From dental treatments like fillings and root canals to cosmetic procedures like veneers and even preventative care like exams and cleanings, we do it all in a warm and friendly environment that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!
To schedule an appointment with our dental team, please visit our website, or call 434-215-0363 today!