Dental emergencies are an unfortunate but all-too-common occurrence. Dr. Hinna Chaudhry and our team understand that emergency dental care can save your tooth and eliminate pain, so we offer in-office emergency dental care at Ardsley Dental Spa.
But what should you do before you arrive for emergency dental care? The answer depends on what type of dental emergency you experience. Read on to identify steps you should take before arriving at our office here in Ardsley, New York.
Knocked-out tooth
Knocked-out teeth are common injuries, especially among those who play sports. For the best chance of reattachment, we recommend you get to our office within 30 minutes of the injury.
In the meantime, keep the knocked-out tooth moist in the socket, in your cheek, in a tooth-saver kit, or in milk. Also, refrain from touching the roots.
Tip: Add a dental first aid kit to your first aid supplies; if you play sports, tuck one in your gym bag too. Dental first aid kits contain special solutions to keep your tooth moist, preventing the nerves from drying out or becoming damaged.
If you can’t get to our office quickly, it’s even more important to use a tooth-preserving kit, such as Save-A-Tooth™. It can keep the tooth alive for up to 24 hours, but it’s still best to visit us as soon as possible.
Chipped or broken tooth
A chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged tooth can cause pain and expose the inside of your tooth to infection-causing bacteria. If you’ve chipped your tooth, collect the piece of broken tooth and keep it moist, either in your cheek or in a tooth-preserving solution.
Damaged filling or crown
Damaged fillings and crowns can cause pain, especially if the damage exposes nerves.
You can cover a crown or filling with a temporary filling or crown repair kit 一 another component of your dental first aid kit. Sugar-free gum can also temporarily cover your exposed filling.
If possible, don’t chew using your damaged tooth until it’s repaired.
Infection
Infected teeth can cause nagging pain but quickly escalate to symptoms that include fever, swelling, toothache, bad breath, and a foul taste in your mouth. You might notice a small, pimple-like bump on your gums.
You likely need antibiotics, a tooth extraction, or a root canal, but you might feel miserable until then. A fever reducer, pain medication, and salt water rinses might provide relief.
Toothache
There are many reasons your tooth might ache, and the only way to know what’s causing the pain is to see a dentist. To get rid of your toothache, we address the root cause, whether a deep cavity or an infection.
Toothaches are notorious for causing hard-to-ignore pain, so here are a few tips to help ease your discomfort while you wait for your appointment:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water (1 cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of table salt)
- Take over-the-counter pain medication
- Apply an ice pack to your cheek to help with swelling
- Refrain from chewing with your affected tooth
- Rub diluted clove oil on your tooth or sip on lavender tea
Even if you feel better with pain medication, don’t postpone your dental visit. Toothaches can escalate quickly, so address the issue as soon as possible.
Prepare for your appointment
At your appointment, it’s helpful if we know any medications you’re currently taking and details on your symptoms, including when they started.
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, call us at 914-236-1617. For less urgent matters, you can also reserve your appointment online.