Timmy is a 9-year-old kid, happily playing hockey in the street until he falls and hits the curb. Upon getting up, he feels an intense pain in his mouth and sees a tooth on the ground instead of in his mouth. This tooth, however, was a permanent adult tooth and hurts even more as blood begins to form in his mouth. Timmy’s mom is not sure who to call or where to go, thinking the emergency room may be the best choice. Timmy’s mom would be wasting her time by going to the emergency room.
A normal emergency room will not help
How one reacts in the first minutes following a dental emergency, similar to the fictional situation above, is crucial to the oral health of an individual. While it is completely understandable to assume an emergency room will be the answer to an individual who damages his or her teeth, it is not the solution people need.
While a hospital or emergency can triage the symptoms and stop bleeding, they will not be able to re-insert the knocked out tooth or repair a cracked tooth. By visiting an emergency dentist, individuals can gain a much better chance at keeping the natural tooth. The emergency room can help with any other physical injury if one occurs along with a dental emergency. In this situation, seek the emergency room first if the physical injuries are severe enough.
For the situation in which an individual knocks out a permanent tooth, mouthhealthy.org recommends to “keep it moist at all times,” and to “try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root.” Placing the tooth in a cup with a mixture of milk and some of the individual’s saliva can also help. The important factor is getting to the dentist as soon as possible.
What happens next?
At an emergency dentist, the dentist will do everything in his or her power to restore, replace or repair the natural tooth. If that is not possible, then the dentist will go over options for the tooth such as dental implants.
In the scenario where a child knocks out a baby tooth, it is still best to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. The individual needs to keep the child’s tooth moist as with permanent teeth that are knocked out. “Your dentist can see whether the entire tooth, or just part of it, came out,” mouthhealthy.org continues, “Your dentist can also determine whether to implant it again.”
After the emergency procedure, the dentist will go over how to best take care of the area and not cause further damage. While an emergency dentist can do much to save the natural tooth, if the tooth becomes dry or spends too much time out of the mouth then the dentist will not be able to place it back in. While accidents can happen and emergencies are sometimes unavoidable, parents can take precautions to prevent them. For children who play sports, a mouthguard can help protect the teeth from elbows to the face or falling on one’s face.
For a child or adult who experiences soreness or a toothache in the mouth, it may not be an emergency. However, a toothache may be a sign of an infection, so seek a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, do not wait and seek treatment immediately. Our staff will be able to act quickly and attempt to save the tooth. Even if the emergency happens late at night, do not hesitate to call and seek treatment.
L.A. Dental Arts
At L.A. Dental Arts in Chatsworth, CA, we will customize your treatment to match your needs and schedule. Our professional staff creates a calm atmosphere for you during the appointment and treatment process. If you have any questions or are unsure of what is causing the pain in your teeth, do not hesitate to call us.
We will answer any questions and make sure you get all of the necessary information. We can help prevent damage to your teeth and set you on track for a lifetime of pristine oral health. At L.A. Dental Arts, your experience with us and your dental health are our prime concern.
