Good dental hygiene and scheduling cleaning visits every six months can certainly help patients to avoid the stressful dental emergencies. However, sometimes problems arise that cannot be avoided. It’s a good idea to know who to call before that next toothache or lost tooth, and to know when it’s appropriate to head to an Emergency Dentist in Providence RI and what to do before arrival.
Extreme toothaches are a common reason for emergency dental visits. There are a few steps to take that can help alleviate the pain. Rinse with warm water immediately, and floss the area around the tooth to ensure that there is no food detritus lodged nearby. A cold compress applied to the outside of the cheek can help with swelling. There is an old wives’ tale that encourages toothache sufferers to crush up aspirin and put it on the tooth. Do not listen to it. This can burn the gums around it and actually cause more damage; simply take the aspirin as suggested on the bottle instead.
For chipped teeth be sure to rinse both the mouth and any pieces that can be reclaimed with warm water. Apply gauze as necessary for bleeding, and use a cold compress to relieve pain and swelling. Similar strategies can be employed for partially dislodged teeth, but these require more immediate professional attention.
If a tooth has been knocked out completely, it is even more important to get to an Emergency Dentist in Providence RI as soon as possible. The best chances of being able to return the tooth to a patients mouth occur within the first hour of the tooth being removed. It is sometimes possible for people to affix it back in place themselves, but often this is not the case. Should it not easily fit into the socket, the missing tooth should not be forced. Instead put it in a cup of milk and head to the dentist immediately. Do not scrub off any of the tissue from the tooth, but do rinse it if it’s dirty.
Treatment for lost fillings or crowns is less urgent. Over the counter, dental cements or even sugar-free gum can be used to temporarily reattach them until a dentist appointment can be made. Contact us to find out more about the practice and schedule an appointment today.
