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Fort Worth TX 76104
Are you prepared for a dental emergency?
There is never a convenient time for a dental emergency. Unfortunately, daily life and important events do not exempt anyone from these tragedies and they often occur after hours. Preparing for one of these emergencies before it happens can mean the difference between saving or losing a permanent tooth. Here are a few steps you can take to help you prepare.
Identify an Emergency
Identifying an emergency seems obvious but many times a true emergency is confused with an inconvenience. Suppose a temporary crown comes off at dinner one evening but you are not in any pain. This may be quite an inconvenience and it does need attention, but it can probably wait until the next day. A true emergency is any situation which requires immediate professional attention to stop bleeding, sooth extreme discomfort or save a tooth.
Know Your Provider
Most people have a dental home or regular dental provider. Ask your dentist if they have an emergency or after-hours phone number. Post the number somewhere at home where all family members can access it quickly and easily. It is also a good idea to carry the number with you since many emergencies don’t happen at home.
Common Emergencies
One of the most common dental emergencies is tooth trauma. When an adult tooth is knocked out there is a very small window of time where the tooth may be re-attached. Most dental professionals recommend immediately placing the tooth in a small cup of milk or a Save-A-Tooth solution to transport it to the dentist with you. Do not touch the root of the tooth or remove any tissue that may be attached to it. Call the dentist’s office to let them know you are on your way.
Many other emergencies can be handled with a cold compress, warm salt water rinse and gentle flossing. Soft tissue injuries may require gauze pads or moist tea bags to stop bleeding. Every injury is different and must be handled differently. Emergencies can be traumatic, so it helps to be prepared. For additional tips, contact the office of Dr. Randy Parham today.