How Do You Deal with a Dental Emergency?
February 12, 2025
No one wants to think about them, but dental accidents do happen. Be it because you bit too hard on a certain food or suffered a fall and broke a tooth, several day-to-day situations can leave you needing an emergency dentist in Charleston.
When this happens, it’s important not to put it off for another day because waiting that long could lead to permanent damage. Calling an emergency dentist as soon as possible is key.
In the meantime, these are steps you can take to protect your dental health.
Tips for Dealing with Dental Emergencies
Act Fast When It’s a Knocked-Out Tooth
Whatever the reason, if your tooth is knocked out, you should contact an emergency dentist in Charleston, SC, as soon as possible. We can examine the area, reduce bleeding and treat the injury, and if you come right away, we may even be able to restore your tooth.
If you find yourself in this situation, take the fallen-down tooth, grab it by the crown, which is the top part of the tooth, and clean it. Rinse it with warm water; don’t use any other products, and avoid removing the tissues that are attached to it.
If you can, try inserting the tooth back into the socket by biting it slightly, but be very gentle and careful. If insertion isn’t possible, you can place the knocked-out tooth inside a glass with some milk and salt to keep it from drying out while you wait for your dentist.
Preserving a Broken or Cracked Tooth
If your tooth broke or cracked but didn’t fall entirely, you can still preserve the parts so that we bond them back. To do so, it is also important to get immediate attention as soon as possible.
When your tooth gets cracked or damaged, the first thing you should do is to call your Charleston emergency dentist. While you wait, gather every piece you can find and rinse them carefully. Then, rinse your mouth with warm water to ensure no fragments are left between your jaw and cheek.
You may also apply a cold compress over the side of the face where the tooth got broken to alleviate the pain.
Treating Soft Tissue Injuries
In addition to injuries to the teeth, dental trauma can also affect the mouth’s soft tissues, such as the gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks. Examples are lacerations or cuts caused by sharp edges of broken teeth, braces, or biting yourself.
If this happens to you, clean the area by gently rinsing your mouth with warm water or a saltwater solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water). This helps reduce the risk of infection. If the injury causes bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze and hold it in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
If the injury is deep, continues to bleed after pressure is applied, or causes significant pain, it may require medical attention, so call your emergency dentist in North Charleston, SC, immediately.
Restore Your Health with an Emergency Dentist in Charleston
Dental emergencies can seem scary, but they’re not the end of the world. With a calm mindset and by visiting our North Rivers Dental office as soon as possible, we can reverse the effects of your injury.
Our clinic has state-of-the-art facilities to perform restorative, preventive, and cosmetic procedures to restore your smile. Contact us, and don’t put off getting the dental care you need!