Emergency Dental Care Can Save Your Smile

Emergency dental care is something that you may not have thought much about unless you’ve experienced a toothache or an injury to your teeth. But knowing what to do and whom to call in a dental emergency is an important aspect of your overall health care. At Olathe Dental Care Center, we offer same-day emergency appointments, even for new patients.

 

Accidents happen every day, and injuries to teeth are very common. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), most traumatic injuries to teeth are suffered by children and teenagers. With younger children, injuries to the mouth and teeth can come about through falls while at play. Children who participate in sports are more prone to dental injuries. Automobile accidents are another frequent cause of injuries, and can happen to people of any age. It is important to know what to do in the event of an oral injury.

 

At Olathe Dental Care Center, we follow and recommend the American Dental Association’s emergency dental care guidelines. If you or a loved one has suffered a dental injury, the following information will help you know what to do until professional help is available.

Knocked Out Teeth

If a knocked out tooth can be replaced within an hour, there is a good chance that it will reattach and heal normally. Seek emergency dental care as soon as possible after the injury occurs.

 

Baby tooth: If your child knocks a baby tooth completely out, do not try to put it back in the socket. Call your dentist as soon as possible. While children will lose their baby teeth naturally over time, losing them too soon can result in problems with their permanent teeth. 

 

Adult tooth: If a child or adult has a permanent tooth knocked completely out, put it back into the socket as soon as possible. Hold it in place with a clean washcloth or gauze pad. If that isn’t possible, have the person try to hold it in place with their tongue. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with clean water. Do not remove any bits of gum tissue. If the tooth can’t be held in position, place it in a container of milk, saliva or saline solution. If these are not available, use plain water. 

 

Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to help with pain. If you can find the missing piece of the tooth, wrap it in wet gauze or a damp towel and bring it with you to your emergency dental care appointment. 

 

First, try to remove the object using dental floss. If this is unsuccessful, contact your dental care provider right away. Do not use a sharp object to try to remove it, as this can cause further damage.

 

Having a toothache can be one of the most miserable experiences in life. Dental pain can make it hard to eat, sleep or attend work or school. Toothache can be caused by an abscess, an infection, or by serious decay that irritates a nerve. If you have pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, you should call for emergency dental care right away. Follow these steps to get some relief while you wait to be seen:

 

Like many things in life, the need for emergency dental care can often be avoided through prevention. For kids and adults who play sports, a mouth guard is the best protection against oral injury. Toothache can best be avoided by keeping your teeth and gums healthy through regular dental check-ups and cleanings, as well as daily oral hygiene. If the worst happens and you need emergency dental care, call the Olathe Dental Care Center at (913)782-1420 or request an appointment online. Our team of experts is ready to help restore your smile!