Because an injury to your tooth can happen when you least expect it, it is important to respond quickly and appropriately. Whether you have a chipped tooth, severe pain, or a knocked-out tooth, knowing how to respond and who to contact can make all the difference in preventing further damage and discomfort. At your Newport Beach, CA dentist’s office, we are standing by to help treat your dental emergency. We can evaluate the injury to your tooth and provide proper restoration when need be.
Assessing Your Dental Injury
When you first experience an injury to your tooth, assess the situation to determine if you need immediate care. This means evaluating the severity of your pain, identifying any visible damage, and determining when immediate action is necessary. If you experience severe bleeding that will not stop or you believe your injury to be life-threatening, go straight to the nearest emergency of your local hospital or call 911. They will treat your injury before sending you to the emergency dentist for care. Otherwise, call our office so we may provide appropriate care. If your emergency occurs outside of normal office hours, leave a message describing what has happened and we will get back to you as soon as possible. After notifying our office, take the following steps to prepare yourself for your trip to the emergency dentist.
Chipped Or Broken Teeth
When your tooth is chipped or broken, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the injury, and apply a cold compress on your face to reduce any swelling. Save any broken pieces of tooth, if possible, by placing them in a container of milk or saltwater bath for transport. We will repair your injury whether you collect the missing pieces or not, so do not worry if you cannot collect them.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your tooth has been knocked out, rinse it gently with water, and try to place it back into your socket if possible. Otherwise, store the tooth in a container of milk or saltwater and seek our care immediately. Remember to never touch a tooth by its roots, but hold it by its crown instead. This protects the surface when your tooth is out of its socket.
Severe Toothache
When you have a toothache that will not quit, rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food particles that may be causing the pain. To reduce your inflammation, consider taking an NSAID pill like ibuprofen or naproxen. Apply a cold compress to your face and visit our office as soon as you are able.
Talk To Your Newport Beach, CA Dentist About Emergency Dentistry
Knowing who to contact can help reduce your discomfort during a dental emergency. To find out more about how we treat emergency dental issues, contact Dr. Hofkes at Balboa Dental Surgery at (949) 630-0143 to discuss care today.
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