Accidents can happen at any time. If you’re a parent, you surely know this. Little Billy can be happily riding his bike one minute and the next thing you know he’s lying on the ground with skinned knees and elbows. Most people know what to do for those types of situations: you patch up Billy with ointment and bandages and tell him to be more careful next time.
A dental crisis can strike when least expected, too – you may not be as experienced in handling dental emergencies. Dr. Takacs and the team at Beaumont Family are always ready to help when you or your family have an urgent dental need.
If you have a dental emergency, call our Beaumont office at 859-223-2120 or one of our other locations and we will see you as soon as we can. If your emergency is during normal business hours we will fit you in that day if at all possible.
Follow These Steps To Save Your Smile
When a dental calamity happens, it is important to seek professional care as soon as possible so we can administer the emergency care necessary to keep your smile intact.
However, there are important steps to take in the meantime – before you ever reach our office. Following these steps can help prevent bigger headaches and costlier dental procedures.
Below are some emergency dental situations and the appropriate measures to take:
Toothache
Toothaches can seem like small things, but they can be very painful! Rinse your mouth with warm water, then apply an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen may also help. Be sure to follow dosing directions on the package. Call our office so we can schedule an appointment to get to the bottom of your aching tooth.
Abscess
A tooth abscess is an infection that occurs around the root of a tooth or in the pocket between the tooth and gums. This infection can damage other teeth and even spread to other parts of your body, so any sign of a pimple-like swelling on your gums should be treated as soon as possible. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain and swelling. Call our dental team as soon as possible so we can get your mouth back in shape.
Dislodged tooth
See our team right away for professional care. Apply an ice pack or cold compress to help with pain and swelling. You can also take an OTC pain reliever (be sure to follow directions on the package). Call us as soon as possible for an appointment.
Knocked-out tooth
You need to bring your tooth and yourself to our office as soon as possible for the best chances of saving your tooth! Try to reinsert the tooth into place if possible, or just put it in a small container of milk or salt water solution. Only touch the crown of the tooth (the top part). Avoid touching the roots or removing any fragments of tissue from the tooth.
Broken tooth
Be sure to save any broken pieces of tooth! First of all, rinse your mouth out with warm water, making sure to rinse off the broken pieces as well. If the area is bleeding, apply a small piece of gauze for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Then use a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. Call us as soon as possible for an emergency appointment.
Lost filling
It sounds crazy, but you can use sugarless gum to temporarily fill the hole where the filling was. Drugstore dental cement will also work. Then make an appointment so we can replace the filling.
Lost crown
Try to slip the crown back into place if possible. Apply a thin coating of dental cement, dental adhesive, or even toothpaste on the inner surface of the crown beforehand. If you can’t put it back into place, that’s OK. Just call us for an emergency appointment and bring the crown with you.
Loose or broken braces and wires
Try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the broken wire away from sensitive tissues like your cheek and gums. If you’re not able to move it, place a piece of wax or small piece of cotton over the end. Call our office as soon as possible so we can repair the damage.
Prepare Your Own Dental Emergency Kit
It’s a good idea to keep a small dental emergency kit available at home, in your car, or both. You never know when it might come in handy in a pinch. Include these items in it:
- Non-latex gloves
- OTC pain reliever such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen
- A washcloth or small towel
- Sterile gauze
- A couple of small plastic bag or small container with a lid
- Small LED flashlight
- Dental floss
- Disposable dental mirror
Now you know all about handling dental emergencies for yourself or a family member. If you have an emergency, or just need routine dental care, call our staff today at any of our three convenient locations. We will keep you smiling!
- Beaumont: 859-223-2120
- Hamburg: 859-687-0975
- Leestown: 859-368-8260