Posted on February 27, 2024
We all know that accidents can happen – and they usually happen at the most inconvenient time possible. When it comes to our teeth, an accident with cracking or chipping a tooth can be quite painful, and if someone doesn’t know what to do, it could mean losing that tooth altogether. Here is some information on dealing with dental emergencies and what to do if it happens to you.
Knocking out a tooth
As much as we try to be careful, knocking out a tooth is a very common accident. If this happens to a permanent adult tooth, try to keep the tooth as moist as possible. Also, if you can, try to place the tooth back in the socket without touching the nerve. If you can’t do that, put the tooth between your gums and your cheek in your mouth. Try to get a dentist right away when this happens.
If it’s a baby tooth that was knocked out for a child, then try to find the tooth and keep it as moist as possible. Then, get to your dentist so they can determine if the whole tooth was knocked out or just part of it. They will also determine if it needs to be re-implanted or if your child can be without that tooth until the permanent one grows in. Your dentist may want to monitor it, though, to make sure there isn’t any damage to the permanent one as it grows in.
Cracking a tooth
Cracks are another very common accident that can happen to anyone. Biting down on hard foods like almonds, hard candy, seeds, or a misplaced bone found in a hamburger are common reasons people may sometimes crack a tooth.
Sometimes a crack in your tooth might be shallow and not visible to the naked eye. In other instances, a cracked tooth might involve a portion of your tooth being chipped away.
If you crack a tooth, immediately rinse out your mouth with warm water – this will help clean the area. You may also want to put cold compresses on your face to help with any swelling that comes as a result of cracking the tooth. It’s important to book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible after cracking the tooth, as infection is possible. You can also take pain medication if you need to.
If a crack ends before the gum line, your dentist might be able to treat the crack with a filling. In other instances where the crack is above the gumline, you might require a crown.
Dealing with a potentially broken jaw
If you were involved in an accident that was serious enough to potentially break your jaw, you would want to apply cold compresses to the area to help reduce the swelling. Next, see your dentist or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. This is an emergency that should not wait to have it examined.
Removing an object stuck in your mouth or between teeth
We’ve all had food particles stuck between our teeth that we just can’t seem to get out – and they will drive you crazy! For objects stuck in your mouth and between teeth, try to remove the objects gently with floss. It’s really important you don’t try to remove anything with a sharp or pointed instrument as this could push the debris further into your mouth and possibly cause an infection. If you really can’t get the object out of your mouth, then make an appointment as soon as possible with your dentist, as they will be able to assist you.
Knowing what to do in a dental emergency could be the difference between saving your tooth and losing it altogether.
Contact Stoney Creek Dental today
If you have a dental emergency, our team of professional dentists is here to help. Contact us today.