5 Common Questions for an Emergency Dentist in La Porte

You’re relaxing at home watching TV and enjoying some hard candy when suddenly your tooth breaks. How do you react in that situation? Do you know what steps you need to take to save your tooth and protect your oral health? It’s important to be prepared just in case the worst happens. Here are the answers to 5 questions commonly asked of an emergency dentist in La Porte.

1. What’s Considered a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency can be any situation where the tooth has become physically damaged, such as when it’s been broken, cracked or knocked out entirely. A toothache that’s the result of an infection is also considered an emergency. In each of these cases, your first thought should be to “call a dentist near me!”

2. What Should I Do If My Tooth is Cracked or Broken?

Rinse your mouth with warm water, then cover any sharp or jagged edges with dental wax to avoid cutting the inside of your mouth. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to lessen any discomfort along with an ice pack to keep down any swelling. If you need to eat while waiting for your appointment, only eat soft foods and do not use the broken tooth while chewing or biting. Don’t forget to make an appointment right away; a broken tooth could suffer from further damage or even infection, which could cause you to lose it altogether.

3. What if a Tooth is Knocked Out?

Call your dentist right away; it’s best to get an appointment within an hour in order to have the best chance of saving the tooth. Do not pick up the tooth by the roots; only grab the end used for chewing. Rinse it with water (but don’t scrub) before trying to put it back in its socket. If that’s not possible, keep it moist by keeping it between your teeth and gums. You can also preserve it in milk or a saline solution.

4. When is a Toothache an Emergency?

While a toothache can sometimes simply be due to food stuck in the spaces between your teeth (a situation that can often be resolved by dental floss), other times it’s a sign of an infection. If you notice a sharp persistent pain, additional discomfort while biting, a swollen jaw or a bad taste in your mouth, you should call for an appointment as soon as possible.

5. How Can I Prepare for an Emergency?

While many emergencies can be avoided through good oral hygiene and physical protection for your teeth (such as a mouthguard worn during sports), it always pays to be prepared. Put together a dental emergency kit that includes your dentist’s phone number, medical gauze, saline solution, a handkerchief, a small container with a lid, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen. (Do NOT pack aspirin, as it can worsen bleeding.)

Ask your dentist about any other concerns you might have regarding a worst-case dental scenario. Don’t let an emergency catch you off guard; give yourself the best chance of recovery by preparing before it even happens.

About the Practice

At Region Dental, we want our patients to enjoy a trusting relationship with their dentists, Dr. Daniel Berquist and Dr. Joseph Ornelas. We offer a wide variety of restorative and preventive services to help protect your smile. We’ll do our best to see you as soon as possible in the event of a dental emergency. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (219) 362-8980.