It’s Prep Time!

EMERGENCIES! Ugh! The last thing we want to think about, but trust me, they are SO MUCH easier to deal with if you’ve prepared for them in advance, and that includes dental emergencies. Let’s be real, if you are anything like me, we plan for so many things in life, from what we might wear to work or school the next day, to random nuances of an upcoming dinner. However, you can’t always predict things, so why not take the necessary steps to handle those very things. You might be wondering what you can do to prepare for something like an unexpected tooth injury or dental health issue. It’s true that a dental emergency isn’t quite the same as a food shortage or a flat tire, but nonetheless, it is important and takes one unnecessary stress out our daily lives.

So let us help.  Here is some information that can get you that one leg up on a future disaster….

If A Baby Tooth Gets Knocked Out…

DO NOT PANIC! Call the dentist right away if your child loses a baby tooth in an accident, especially if it wasn’t loose beforehand. In most cases, we won’t put the tooth back in because it could create problems for the incoming permanent tooth. Since that tooth will be replaced eventually anyway, this might not seem like a big deal, but there may be other, less obvious damage. Let the Professionals help.

If A Tooth Gets Broken…(Yet, another unfortunate moment)

In the event of a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, you must get straight to a dentist. The sooner treatment happens, the better. What you can do beforehand is to find the broken tooth fragments and place them in cold milk to preserve them. You can also rinse your mouth out with water.

Never ignore a crack or chip, because if the damage is deep enough to expose the dental pulp, the tooth is in danger of infection, which can lead to the death of the pulp, a painful dental abscess, bone loss, and worse.

If An Adult Tooth Gets Knocked Out…

If an entire permanent tooth is knocked out, (OUCH!) get to the dentist as fast as you safely can, because the clock is ticking on the fate of that tooth. If the dentist sees you within an hour of the accident, did you know the tooth can usually be saved? You can improve the tooth’s chances by putting it back in the socket and holding it in place with clean gauze or a washcloth. If it won’t go back in, storing it in cold milk will also help.

Do NOT handle a knocked out tooth by the root. Do NOT let it dry out. Do NOT scrub it clean or use any soap, alcohol, or peroxide on this. Doing any of these things will kill the root, and then it will be much harder or even impossible to successfully replant.

It’s too bad we can’t just regrow adult teeth, isn’t it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMThW10wQa0

Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center is ready to help in case of emergencies!

In addition to being familiar with common types of dental emergencies, it’s essential to know where you’re going to go for help! Our practices located in Stroudsburg and Bethlehem are ready to help any patient with an unexpected dental problem usually within the 24 critical hours for your dental needs. With our well experienced Doctors and staff, you will be in good hands.  We hope that you’ll never need to use this information and that the only time we’ll see you will be for regular appointments, but it’s always good to be prepared!

You can rely on our practice here at Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center! Our knowledgeable, experienced and friendly staff are always here to help.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.