Don’t neglect dental pain or oral injury or try treating it alone. Your Newark emergency dentist at White Clay Dental Associates urges common sense care and quick contact with his competent staff.
Common dental emergencies
A dental emergency requires swift attention because it is painful, compromises overall health or creates an unattractive smile. Here are examples of dental emergencies:
- Broken jaw
- Abscess, or infection
- A constant, throbbing toothache or jaw pain, with or without swelling
- Lost filling, crown or other restoration
- Cracked or chipped full or partial denture
- Broken or lost crown or bridge
- One or more avulsed teeth from a fall, sports accident or other hard contact
- Profusely bleeding cut on the tongue, lips or other soft oral tissues
Your Newark emergency dentists urge contact with the office immediately for advice on care or to set-up a same-day appointment as needed. For life-threatening injuries, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Guidelines for specific situations
If you or your child fracture or knock out a tooth, save fragments in a sealed container. Cover the pieces with milk or over the counter tooth preservative. Rinse an avulsed tooth with warm water, leaving remaining soft tissue in place. Put the tooth back in the empty socket if possible, and hold it while traveling to White Clay Dental Associates. Or, place the tooth in milk or tooth preservative. You might put the tooth between cheek and gums while going to the Newark dental office.
If you have a toothache or symptoms of abscess, such as drainage, use over the counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain. Do not use aspirin, and never place an aspirin between the cheek and gum as it will irritate soft tissues. A warm compress provides comfort.
Soft tissue lacerations require firm pressure with sterile gauze pads. Ice the area. In lieu of an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables works. If serious bleeding won’t resolve within 10 minutes, transport to the hospital ER.
Avoid problems
Protect your mouth with a quality mouthguard when playing sports, even non-contact sports such as running or tennis. Don’t bite down on hard foods such as ice cubes, taffy and peanut brittle. Open plastic packaging with scissors, or use bottle openers for your favorite beverages. Don’t bite fingernails, pencils or other non-foods.
See Dr. Donald T. Bond or Dr. Timothy D. Gainfield at the Newark dental office semi-annually for your routine exam and hygienic cleaning as these services reduce the chances of an urgent dental problem. Often, the Newark dentist spots issues while they are still small and more easily treated.
Don’t delay
Contact White Clay Dental Associates in the event of a dental emergency. Your oral health, and that of your family, depends on your quick action.