Sudden dental damage or infection can derail your smile in more ways than one. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can make a huge difference as you pursue restorative treatment. Here are some tips from our Glendale emergency dentist…
Save As Much As You Can
Generally speaking, you want to retain as much of your natural dental material and tissue as possible. If you have a tooth knocked out, for example, make sure that you hold on to the tooth as well as any connective tissues and materials that are attached to it. To keep the tooth viable for as long as possible, try gently setting it back in place, or, if that is uncomfortable, store it in a glass of milk until you are able to get to your dentist’s office.
Clean & Sterilize
When faced with dental trauma, you want to non-aggressively refresh and clean damaged tissues. Trying rinsing your mouth with water to clear away dental debris and contaminants. In many cases, you’ll do more harm than good by brushing your smile at this point, so talk to your dental team before you clean your smile with a toothbrush.
Be Gentle
Above all, use a light hand when responding to dental trauma. Remember, your oral tissues are particularly sensitive and vulnerable at this stage, so you don’t want to inadvertently cause additional damage to your teeth and gums.
When dealing with a dental emergency, the absolute best thing that you can do is to schedule a consultation with your dental team as quickly as possible. Our Glendale emergency dentists are here to help—contact our team to get started!