A dental emergency can really throw a wrench in our otherwise perfect schedule. Not only are you or a loved one likely in pain, but it’s something you need to address as soon as it occurs. At first, this might make you anxious or even scared to handle, but with help from your dentist in Columbia, you can put yourself at ease until you get professional attention.
Today, we’ll be discussing the conditions that constitute a dental emergency and what you can do before visiting your dentist.
What’s Considered a Dental Emergency?
There are many examples of dental emergencies to keep in mind should they happen to you. According to your dentist in Columbia, the following situations should trigger a call to your dentist right away, even if there isn’t pain:
- Knocked-out or slightly dislodged tooth
- Broken, cracked, chipped or otherwise damaged tooth
- Damage to a dental restoration, such as a filling or crown
- An abscessed tooth
- Damage to surrounding mouth and facial tissue (inner cheek, gums, tongue, etc.)
- Severe tooth pain or toothache
Many of these emergencies seem more obvious than others, but they should all be addressed. Just because you don’t feel pain doesn’t mean your tooth isn’t at risk of contamination.
How Should I Address These Emergencies?
In the case of a knocked-out tooth, the first step should be to locate the tooth and try placing it back into the socket. Avoid touching the root of the tooth when picking it up and make sure the tooth is facing the right way after placement. If this doesn’t work, keep the tooth inside a container of milk to keep the tooth and residual gum tissue attached to it moist.
If your tooth or dental restoration is cracked or significantly damaged, you’ll want to schedule a visit to your emergency dentist in Columbia right away, especially if you’re experiencing pain. This also goes for any sudden tooth pain that didn’t result from an accident. If your tooth is infected or abscessed, it could spread to other teeth and make your situation worse.
How Do I Prepare for a Dental Emergency?
A great way to stay on top of dental emergencies, especially if you have active children, is to build a dental emergency kit that comes with useful supplies. Just like other first aid kits, a dental emergency kit should have everything you need the moment an issue occurs. This kit should include:
- Nitrile gloves – Similar to latex gloves but more ideal for those with allergies to latex
- Orajel
- Cotton balls
- Gauze pads
- Q-tips
- Small bottle of hydrogen peroxide
- Antibiotics
- Bulb syringe
- Salt
- Temporary filling
- Floss
Once you’ve controlled the situation, you should call your dentist in Columbia so they can schedule your emergency appointment, ideally for the same day. More dental practices are doing this now to better accommodate patients. If you’re currently experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call!
About the Author
Dr. Victor Beck, Jr. has been serving the Columbia community for decades and has so intention of stopping any time soon. After graduating from Columbia State College summa cum laude, he went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee. To schedule a same-day emergency appointment with him and get your issue handled, contact him at (931) 548-6154. For regular hours, call him at (931) 388-8452 or visit his website.