Dental emergencies can happen when we least expect them and in the midst of the moment it can be hard to know what to do. Below are some common-sense tips but the most important step during a dental emergency is to contact your Topeka, KS, dentists Dr. Greg Johnson and Dr. Eric Johnson of Ad Astra Family Dentistry.
Toothache
Pain, depending on the severity, can be a cause of a dental emergency. But even if the pain is manageable it should not be ignored, as pain is a symptom that something is already wrong. There could be a number of reasons for the pain, and you can often find an over-the-counter product to help you manage it if you cannot see your dentist right away, which is the recommended course of action.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped teeth can usually be easily repaired at your dentist's office, and many times the injury is not necessarily a dental emergency. Things to consider are whether the chipped tooth can injure your gums or cheeks, or if there is pain associated with the injury, as it could have damaged the pulp of the tooth. But whether it's an emergency situation or not a chipped tooth should still be examined by your dentist as promptly as possible.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a tooth is knocked out it's very important to recover it and to have your dentist attempt to reattach it as soon as possible. Handling the lost tooth is also important, as you do not want to touch the root or the nerves there any more than you have to. You should not allow the tooth to dry, so you can transport it in a container with milk, or if that's not feasible you can carefully carry your tooth holding it between your cheek and gums. The faster it is reattached the better chances you have of it doing so correctly.
Dental Emergencies in Topeka, KS
There are many more dental emergency situations than those listed above, and for all of them, you can depend on your Topeka, KS, dentist for guidance and treatment. Not all dental emergencies can be prevented but we can do a lot for those we can. Such as using mouthguards for sports, avoiding using our teeth as if they were tools to pry things open, as well as not biting into really hard foods such as popcorn kernels, ice, or hard candy.
For a dental emergency or for help preventing them, dial (785) 286-7541 for Drs. Johnson of Ad Astra Family Dentistry.