Dental emergencies are always inconvenient and often scary and painful. They rarely resolve themselves, and calling your emergency dentist in Wilmington, DE promptly helps you avoid further pain and the expense of more complex treatment.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
Toothache: Rinse your mouth with salt water, which reduces inflammation and acts as a disinfectant. Floss gently to remove food that may be lodged between teeth. Holding a cold compress or ice pack on the affected area for 20-minute intervals can also help reduce pain and swelling. Take an OTC pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or Tylenol.
Object stuck between teeth: Use dental floss to try to gently remove the object. If you can't, call your dentist in Wilmington.
Lost filling or crown: Put the filling or dental crown back on the tooth if possible; otherwise, place it in a safe place and bring to your dental appointment. A lost crown or filling is not considered a dental emergency unless there are sharp, jagged edges or you are in pain; however, seek prompt treatment to avoid further damage to the tooth.
Broken tooth: Find the piece of the broken tooth if possible. Rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling.
Knocked-out tooth: When you find the tooth, do not touch the root or any tissue attached to it. Rinse gently with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it. The safest place for the tooth is back in its socket, but if that’s not possible, place it in a cup of milk or use your saliva if no milk’s available. Only use tap water as a last resort. See your dentist immediately.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are unpredictable, but you can minimize them by taking simple preventive steps. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once. Seeing your dentist in Wilmington, DE for routine checkups and teeth cleanings allows them to detect problems like cavities before they become painful.
Our Emergency Dentists in Wilmington, DE are Here for You
At Justison and Gladnick Family Dentistry, your comfort and well-being are extremely important to us. Please call our Wilmington, DE dental office at (302) 994-2660 if you or a family member are experiencing tooth pain or another urgent situation. We will evaluate your needs and schedule an emergency dental appointment as needed to get you out of pain fast.
