If your tooth gets knocked out, it may be tempting to run to the nearest ER. However, you’ll probably be waiting a long time, and even the professionals there might not know enough about dentistry to effectively save your tooth. Fortunately, your emergency dentist will typically see you on the same day you call. Whether you have a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, or a severe toothache, your dentist can treat them with greater expertise than your local ER. Keep reading to learn how.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your tooth gets knocked out of its socket, the most important thing is to call your dentist right away and let them know. Teeth that are attached within an hour of being knocked out have the greatest chance of being successfully reattached. Grab the tooth by its crown, or the chewing surface, and rinse it off with warm water. Keep the tooth either in a container of milk or in your mouth next to your cheek. The tooth MUST stay wet in order to keep it viable.
Your dentist will assess the situation and see if the tooth is able to be reattached. He or she may be able to place the root back in the socket. However, the tooth might need additional work later, such as a root canal or a dental bridge, to help it successfully reintegrate into your mouth.
Broken Tooth
If your tooth is broken, try and save as many of the pieces as possible while you call your emergency dentist. Once you reach the office, they may try and heal the tooth with dental bonding. This material is similar to what is used to fill cavities. Your dentist might attach the pieces and use a composite resin to sculpt the tooth back into its normal shape.
If enough of the tooth is lost or has a large amount of decay, your dentist might use a dental crown to cover the tooth. A crown is a cap that goes over a tooth to protect it. It can be made of metal, porcelain, or porcelain bonded to metal. Metal crowns are the strongest, but porcelain ones can be made to look exactly like natural teeth.
Toothache
Toothaches can be caused by a number of different factors, such as:
- Decay
- Tooth fractures
- Infected gums
- Damaged filling
- Grinding teeth
Whatever the cause, if your tooth pain does not go away with over-the-counter painkillers, call your dentist. Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the toothache. If it’s decay, a filling or root canal may be needed. If you have infected gums, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics. Whatever the cause, it’s important that you seek treatment right away.
When you have a problem with your tooth, the only person you should be calling is your dentist. Emergency rooms can be fine for other urgent medical issues, but your dentist is the only one qualified to treat tooth problems. Call your dentist if you experience any kind of pain or injury to your tooth.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Blake founded his practice in Beverly, MA in 1996. He worked with the Massachusetts Dental Society to help establish the Yankee Dental Congress as one of the most prestigious dental education programs in the world. He has also accrued more than 1500 continuing education hours throughout his career. To learn more about how he can fix your dental emergencies, click here or call (978)-927-3515.