A dental emergency isn’t something you want to wait to get treatment for. That’s why, even with the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, Payette Dental is still taking care of dental emergencies for patients of record. Dr. Brock W. Hyder, a dentist in Payette, ID, explains common dental emergencies and what you can do until you’re seen in our office.
Handling a Dental Emergency
The first thing you should always do in the event of a dental emergency is to call our office. We need to get you seen as soon as possible. Below are a few common dental emergencies you may experience and some advice on how you can assist until you can get into the office.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain isn’t something that you should ignore and let go, particularly if it’s sudden and severe. Tooth pain can have many causes, including tooth decay, an infection, or an abscess. Many times it’s hard to tell which of those is the culprit until the dentist can do a thorough examination. If you have tooth pain, take over the counter pain medicine to help ease it. Use a cold compress as well if you experience any swelling with it.
Knocked-Out Tooth
It’s important that you don’t panic when an adult tooth gets knocked out, though this can be hard to do. You want to try and retrieve the tooth that was knocked out. Pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the tooth root. Gently rinse it off, but avoid scrubbing as that can do damage. Then, put the tooth in a cup of milk or your own saliva to help preserve it. Never attempt to put the tooth back into the socket on your own.
When you bring the tooth into the office, Dr. Hyder will determine if it can be salvaged. If not, you don’t have to worry. Our office offers multiple solutions for replacing missing teeth! In particular, Dr. Hyder recommends dental implants. These are the most natural and stable form of tooth replacement available on the market.
Broken Dental Crown or Bridge
While dental restorations are made to last, we know that things can happen sometimes. For a broken or missing dental crown, try to find the missing piece. Though dental crowns usually can’t be reused, Dr. Hyder can take a look. Never try to replace the missing dental crown yourself. Most likely, a new dental crown will be made for you.
For a broken dental bridge, try to accumulate all of the pieces to bring with you to your appointment. Dr. Hyder will have to look at the restoration and see if it’s something that can be repaired. If not, you’ll be fitted for a new dental bridge to be made.
Your Dentist in Payette, Idaho
If you have a dental emergency, call us immediately. We’ll also be here for regular checkups and cleanings when the pandemic is over. With the added stress of the crisis, it’s important that you get seen! Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future. Hopefully, we’ll see your smile in our office again soon!