Dental Emergency

What is considered a dental emergency?

Not every oral health problem requires an emergency visit to your dentist. Some injuries need medical attention right away while others can wait until your next appointment. A dental emergency includes a host of acute injuries or conditions, including having a tooth knocked out, fracturing a tooth, or having an accident that causes the teeth to cut through the lips or cheeks. These injuries may happen while playing sports, eating food that is too hard, or during a fall.

Minor chipped teeth can typically wait until normal business hours. However, when a large portion of a tooth is missing, the whole tooth is knocked out completely, or when you suffer nerve damage, it’s important to see your dentist right away.

What should I do in a dental emergency?

Acting fast in a dental emergency can make the difference in saving a tooth. While you make the trip to your dentist’s office or wait for emergency care, there are some strategies you can follow to improve your situation.

If a tooth has been knocked out completely, try to place it back in the socket, if possible. Sometimes, you can effectively do this by biting down on a wet tea bag or piece of gauze. Be sure not to swallow the tooth. If the tooth won’t stay in, place it in a container of milk to preserve.

Rinse your mouth out with warm water if you suffer from a cracked tooth to thoroughly cleanse the area. Then, place a cold compress on your face to minimize swelling. If your cheek, tongue, or lips are injured, clean the area and then apply a cold compress.

How can Dr. Monica Muñoz, DDS help in a dental emergency?

Dr. Muñoz and her team are calm and efficient at handling virtually any sort of dental emergency. When you experience an urgent oral health injury, call the office right away for a current contact for dental emergencies. Your dentist understands that serious problems don’t always happen during regular business hours. That’s why Dr. Monica Muñoz, DDS is happy to treat acute injuries in all current patients.