Your Dentist is Prepared to Help
Below, we go into more detail about some of the most common dental emergencies. Find out what they are and how to handle them when they’re affecting a loved one. Don’t stress if you’re experiencing an issue. That is precisely what your emergency dentist in Plano is here for! Learn about some common emergencies that can occur to keep your smile as healthy as possible until you can come into our office for treatment.
Something Stuck Between Teeth
If you have a foreign object lodged between your teeth, do not try to remove it with anything other than dental floss. Don’t be embarrassed—this is more common than you might think! If you can’t get it out by flossing and rinsing your mouth with water, give your emergency dentist a call right away for safe removal with an expert touch.
Soft Tissue Injury
If you are bleeding from the soft tissues of your mouth, like the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums, try to stop or slow the blood flow by placing continual pressure on the wound with a clean gauze or cloth. You should also rinse your mouth out with a mild salt-water solution. Then, get in touch with our office. If the blood continues for 10 minutes, however, you should go straight to the emergency room as this issue could be potentially life-threatening.
Lost Temporary Crown/Veneer
It is not unusual for a temporary crown or veneer to come off. Let us know right away. If your follow-up appointment is soon, you may want to wait it out and reattach the restoration with a denture adhesive or temporary glue. If not, we may advise you to come into the office for a repair. It’s always vital that you give us a call because no two smiles are the same!
Extruded Tooth
An extruded (partially dislodged) tooth can be very painful, so it’s important to know what to do next. You should come to our office for treatment immediately, but on the way, you can apply a cold compress to ease swelling and pain. You may also want to take an over-the-counter pain reliver to make yourself feel more comfortable. Be careful not to move around your tooth any more than necessary and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
Broken Braces and Bands
Broken brackets and wires on traditional orthodontics pose a threat because they can cut and poke the inside of your mouth, causing great pain and bleeding. If you have a wire sticking out, try using an eraser at the end of a pencil to push it back into a position that won’t put your mouth at risk. If you can’t reposition it, use wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze to protect yourself until you can come in to see us.