Dr. Sung and Dr. Nguyen have years of experience helping patients get relief from pain and discomfort after oral trauma or serious dental injuries. At Grand Mission Dentistry, we want our patients to be informed about what to do during a dental emergency to help you make the right decisions for your dental health, even in stressful situations.
Here are some of the most common mistakes patients make when they experience a dental emergency:
Delay Making An Appointment With Your Dentist
If you’re suffering from a dental emergency, it’s important to see an emergency dentist within 1-12 hours of experiencing the injury or recognizing the issue. Some conditions, such as losing a tooth, require treatment within 1-2 hours for the best results, and speedy treatment will help reduce pain and discomfort, no matter what dental issue you are experiencing.
Before you do anything else, the first thing you should do when you have a serious dental issue in Richmond is to call Grand Mission Dentistry right away. This will ensure the best possible results, and help you mitigate your pain and discomfort.
Rinsing A Knocked-Out Tooth With Soap
Using soap and chemicals to clean a knocked-out tooth is a bad idea. Scrubbing it and using these chemicals will destroy the delicate nerve tissue and root, making it more difficult (and sometimes impossible) for Dr. Sung or Dr. Nguyen to save your tooth.
If your tooth is knocked out, recover it as soon as possible and replace it in the socket, or put it in a baggie or container of cold milk. If the knocked-out tooth is dirty, use warm water to rinse it. Do not use any kind of soap or other cleaner.
Using Aspirin To Treat Pain And Discomfort After An Injury
Aspirin is not a good choice for helping with pain after an oral injury, particularly if your mouth is bleeding. Aspirin is a blood thinner, which can prevent blood clots from forming and lead to excessive bleeding from the mouth.
Stick to NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen, which do not interfere with the body’s ability to form blood clots.
Waiting to See a Dentist If You Lose A Crown Or Filling
Losing a dental filling or a crown is a serious dental emergency. Crowns and fillings are usually used to protect the vulnerable enamel and dentin of your mouth that has been compromised by tooth decay or a previous oral injury.
If your filling or crown falls out, bacteria can get into these areas and quickly cause a tooth infection. It’s important to see a dentist right away if past dental work has fallen our or become loose. This is the best way to safeguard your oral health and prevent further pain, discomfort, or damage to your teeth.
Contact Us Now – We Always Have Space For Dental Emergencies!
At Grand Mission Dentistry, we offer professional emergency dentistry services to patients of all ages, and we do our best to set aside emergency appointment slots every day. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait! Contact us now at (281) 789-8836 to let us know you’re coming in, or walk in for an appointment at our office, located at 8620 Grand Mission Blvd, Suite #E, Richmond, TX 77407.