You brush twice every day, and sometimes even three. You floss daily. You attend regular dental check-ups. You avoid foods that are infamous for staining teeth, and you don't touch the snuff. But in the case of dental emergencies, there aren't a whole lot of preventive measures you can take - hence why they're called "emergencies" - so how can you truly know how to protect your teeth from them?
At the Apple Valley Dental office of Samuel Kim, DDS, you'll be fully equipped with all the knowledge you need to improve your chances of saving your teeth in the scary case of any dental emergency. Even if you aren't prepared for a dental emergency when it hits, many dentists will be on-call to help in such situations, even if they're not on the clock.
Common Dental Emergencies
Falling down or getting hit in the mouth during sports are two of the most common dental emergencies. If this happens to you, remember to first retrieve any dislodged teeth you may have suffered and immediately rinse it with water. Be careful not to rinse away attached tissues, though.
Next, try putting the tooth back into the socket. If it won't stay there, put the tooth into a container of milk or salt water and go to the nearest emergency dentist immediately.
Common Oral Soft-Tissue Emergencies
Tongue, lip, gum, and cheek injuries can be painful, but they don't have to paralyze you with fear. Instead, remember to rinse your mouth with warm water and apply moistened gauze or a cold compress to the affected area. If you're bleeding and it doesn't subside after half an hour of at-home treatment application, it's time to turn your attention to professional medical care. In this case, make it to your emergency dentist immediately or the nearest hospital.
For more information about what you should do in the case of a dental emergency, give Dr. Kim at Apple Valley Dental a call today at (760) 247-6007!