If you’ve had a dental emergency, don’t panic. Acting quickly will help us save your smile. We offer flexible appointments for dental emergencies so we can get you into our office as quickly as possible.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies happen all the time. Whether from contact sports or crunchy foods, tooth damage is something most people will experience in some form throughout their lifetimes. A few examples of dental emergencies are:
- Knocked-out teeth
- Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
- Damage to the soft tissues of your mouth
- Broken dental restorations
- Persistent toothaches
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If your tooth has been knocked out, try to gently place the tooth back in the socket until you can get to our office. If that doesn’t work, you can put it in a glass of milk. The idea is to keep the tooth moist and visit our office as soon as possible. We may be able to re-attach the tooth in some cases.
If you have a broken tooth but it’s not causing any immediate pain, you might be able to wait a little while before seeing our dentists. Apply dental wax to any sharp edges to protect your mouth and tongue.
If a dental restoration such as a crown or bridge has broken or fallen out, try to hold on to it until you can visit our office. In some cases, our dentists can simply re-attach the existing restoration rather than creating a new one.
For any dental emergency involving damage to your mouth or teeth, rinse the area with warm water and swish gently to remove any loose particles and to clean the area. You can manage swelling by applying a cold compress.
Ready to Make an Appointment?
If you think you’re having a dental emergency, don’t wait to call our office. We can let you know whether you should stop in immediately or if your case can wait until your next appointment. To speak with our emergency dentists in Shelby Township, MI, call Jeffrey T. Baker DDS at (586) 992-9222 today.
