What To Do During A Dental Emergency
A dental emergency involving your teeth or mouth may require urgent professional care. This includes severe toothaches and pains, visible damage to a tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or a loose or missing crown. A dental emergency can occur while chewing hard candy, during a sporting event, or at any time, and how you respond can make a difference in saving your smile.
Dr. Brian McDowell will help you understand what qualifies as a dental emergency, and the right steps to take before you reach a dentist’s chair to reduce pain, prevent further damage, and even determine whether a tooth can be saved.
Common Dental Emergencies
Severe Toothache and Tooth Pain
Toothaches and other dental pain are common reasons people contact our dental office for emergency dental care. Before your dental appointment in Fitchburg, rinse your mouth with warm water to clear debris. Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and manage discomfort.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
If a tooth breaks, collect any fragments and place them in a clean container. Bring the pieces with you to your appointment. Depending on the severity of the break, our Fitchburg dentist may be able to restore the broken or chipped tooth using the original fragments. If not, Dr. McDowell may need to repair it with a filling or a dental crown.
Knocked-Out Tooth
This is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. Pick up the tooth by the crown and gently rinse it with water if it is dirty. However, you do not want to scrub it or touch the tooth’s root. After you rinse your tooth, place it in milk, salt water, or saliva to keep it moist, and get to our dentist as quickly as possible. Re-implantation is most successful within the first hour.
Loose or Missing Dental Crown
If you have a loose, broken, or missing dental crown, you can try re-applying it with a small amount of dental cement. However, if the dental crown will not stay in place, keep it safe and bring it to your dental appointment at Brian McDowell, DDS LVIF. An exposed tooth can cause tooth sensitivity and further damage, so contact our office as soon as possible.
Why Fitchburg Patients Trust Brian C. McDowell, DDS LVIF
When a dental emergency strikes, you need someone with the experience to act fast and the skill to get it right. Dr. Brian McDowell has been treating patients in Fitchburg for over 30 years, handling everything from routine care to complex dental emergencies. At Brian C. McDowell, DDS LVIF, emergency dental patients in Fitchburg can expect:- An initial exam to assess the emergency quickly
- Immediate pain relief to help you feel better
- Restorative dental care to repair damage and protect your smile
- Follow-up dental care in Fitchburg to ensure your long-term oral health
