What to Do in a Dental Emergency?

Find out what steps you should take to ensure that a dental emergency is well taken care of.

A dental emergency can happen at any time, and often happens when you least expect it. But there is no need to panic! Your Riverview dentists, Drs. Mehul Patel and Heba Abuhussein, are only a phone call away. Read on to learn what dental problems are true emergencies and what you can do to make the situation a bit easier on yourself.

What problems are considered dental emergencies?

A dental emergency is anything that requires medical attention from your dentist in Riverview, MI. If you are experiencing any of these issues then it’s time to come in right away for treatment:

• A fractured or chipped tooth
• A dislodged or knocked-out tooth
• A loose tooth
• Injury to the lips, gums or cheeks
• Faulty or damaged dental work (e.g. dental crown)

How do I handle a knocked-out tooth?

The sooner you seek treatment from your Riverview, MI dentist the better! By visiting us within an hour of the incident we are more likely to be able to save your tooth. Be sure to always handle the tooth by the crown only and never the roots, as you can damage cells.

Rinse the tooth off to remove dirt or debris. If possible, try to place the tooth back into the socket. If this doesn’t work put the tooth in a container of milk or saline solution and come into our office right away.

What should I do if my tooth becomes dislodged?

The first thing you should do if you notice that you have a tooth that is out of alignment is to call our office right away. Only we can properly fix the tooth. Before coming into our office, you can try and gently reposition the tooth. Never force it!

How do I treat a chipped or fractured tooth?

A tooth can be fractured in many different ways. While chipped teeth are usually minor and only cause aesthetic issues for your tooth, there are more severe fractures that can actually damage the overall integrity of the tooth and require an extraction.

If you have fractured a tooth, rinse your mouth out with warm water and then use an ice pack to keep down swelling. If you are experiencing pain take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, which can target both discomfort and swelling. Your dentist in Riverview can buff out minor fractures, while more severe ones may require extensive treatment and dental work.

When you have a dental emergency, come to our Riverview dental office for treatment. Think Southshore Dental when you have your next dental emergency!