You’re watching your son’s football game and enjoying a little bit of your favorite concession, popcorn. That’s when it happens. You feel it and you hear it. You just chomped down on a popcorn kernel and cracked your tooth! What do you do? Don’t panic! Your emergency dentist in Northeast Dallas has you covered. Keep reading to learn what you should do next in this situation and any other dental emergency.
What Are the Different Signs of Dental Emergencies?
Dental emergencies can occur in multiple ways, anytime, and anywhere. Emergencies may not always have strong pain associated with them, so it’s important to know the possible signs:
Is Your Face Swollen?
Swelling of the face typically indicates a dental infection that needs immediate response from a dentist. The tooth, bone, or even the gums could be negatively affected.
Don’t wait around for your condition to get worse. Go to the dentist or call them as soon as possible.
Do You Have a Tooth Knocked Out?
If your tooth gets knocked out, call your dentist immediately so he/she can replant the tooth. In order to achieve a higher chance of success, keep the knocked out tooth moist and replant it within an hour. You can put your tooth in its original socket after you rinse it off and hold it in place until you reach your dentist’s office. If you can’t hold your tooth in place safely, you can put it in a container of milk to keep it from drying out. Additionally, try to bite down on moistened gauze or a wet tea bag to keep the socket moist and your mouth comfortable.
Is Your Tooth Broken, Cracked, or Chipped?
If the crack or chip isn’t significant and you don’t feel a lot of pain, immediate intervention isn’t necessary, but you should still schedule a visit with your dentist. However, if parts of the tooth have actually become dislodged from the gums or there is significant bleeding, you’ll need care as soon as possible.
If your tooth has broken into multiple pieces, collect them and bring the fragments to your dentist’s office as soon as possible. If you have pain, call your dentist immediately.
Is Your Mouth Bleeding?
This could mean multiple things. If your gums bleed when you floss or brush, you may have gum disease, which can be helped and sometimes even reversed through a good oral health routine if it’s in the earliest stages. However, if there’s blood in your saliva occurring randomly without brushing or flossing, contact your general physician.
Talk to your emergency dentist in Lake Highlands if there is blood in your saliva, too. They will check your symptoms and can even give you a better idea of what may be going on over the phone.
Is There Pain When You Bite or Chew?
This could mean cracked tooth syndrome. If caught early, there is less likelihood of needing a root canal because you’ll treat the crack before it reaches the root of your tooth. Make an appointment with your dentist within the week, and until then, try not to bite on the affected area.
Now, the next time you feel or see an irregularity in your mouth, you’ll be much better prepared. If you ever find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, you’ll know what to do.
About the Dentist
Dr. Mariya Barnett prides herself on forming relationships with all of her patients while helping them achieve their oral health goals. She is ready to help with any dental emergencies you may be having at her own practice, where she even has after-hours scheduling available for emergencies. For any additional questions, she can be contacted through her website or by phone at (214) 373-9903.