One minute, life can be going smoothly, but a dental emergency can pop up and ruin your day. If you respond in the appropriate way, you can make sure that the emergency doesn’t ruin your smile. What should you do if the unexpected happens? In most cases, your first move should be to call your emergency dentist in Westhampton: Beach Dental. Dr. Alexis Gersten, Dr. Jason Parli, Dr. Daniel Lim, and the rest of our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible and provide advice for handling the situation until you come in.
Dealing with Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies often happen unexpectedly, but knowing where to turn when one does can make a huge difference when it comes to your smile’s long-term health and appearance. Below are just some of the possible dental emergencies you could deal with and some general tips.
Toothache
Severe tooth pain often stems from bacteria coming into contact with the pulp or sensitive center of the tooth. However, just to eliminate the possibility that it is caused by stuck debris, floss around the tooth. If the pain persists, call our team at Beach Dental for an emergency appointment. Until you arrive, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as directed and a cold compress to reduce discomfort and swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When a permanent tooth comes out completely, it’s important to act quickly. First, call your dentist’s office. Pick up the tooth by the crown and avoid touching the root. Attempt to put it back into the socket and gently bite down to keep in place. If that’s not possible, put it between your gums and your cheek or store it in saltwater or milk. Make sure that you come to Beach Dental within an hour so that we have the best chance of saving the natural tooth.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Call us and schedule an immediate appointment. Do your best to collect the pieces of the tooth and bring them with you. Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. If the tooth has sharp edges, you can use dental wax to protect your cheeks and lips.
Lost Filling or Crown
If possible, find the restoration and put it back into place. You can use a dab or toothpaste or sugarless gum to hold it more firmly, but avoid using that tooth to chew your food. Keep in mind that this is just a temporary solution. You will certainly need to see your dentist at Beach Dental right away to get your replacement restoration.
Handling a dental emergency can be stressful, but by using this advice, you can get relief from pain and have the problem resolved as soon as possible. You may not be able to control when or how a dental emergency occurs, but you can be ready for it and have a plan in place.
Your Source for Emergency Dentistry in Westhampton
When you or your family members in the Westhampton area face dental emergencies, you can turn to Beach Dental for help. With three dentists on staff, we are open six days a week and do our best to accommodate dental emergency patients as soon as possible. In fact, we are often able to see those in need on the same day as their phone call. If you have a dental emergency and need help, you can call (631) 325-0731 or click here.