Sometimes accidents happen that affect your teeth. You might fall, chip your tooth, or injure your mouth during sports. It’s important to know when emergency dental services can save your smile, when you can wait for a routine appointment, and when to call 911.
Before you have a dental emergency, it’s a good idea to establish a patient relationship with a dentist you trust. Your dental office should offer emergency services or refer you quickly to someone that can help. Look for a Leawood dentist that has procedures in place for dental emergencies.
While the tips below can help guide whether you should see a dentist in an emergency, you should always contact a dentist or 911, depending on the severity of the injury, to explain the exact situation and understand what level of care might be appropriate.
Reasons to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room
Dental injuries often occur simultaneously to further head injuries. If you’re having trouble swallowing or breathing from facial swelling, call 911 immediately. If you’re bleeding profusely, you likely have a brain injury, or you’ve broken bones, often these situations warrant a trip to the emergency room, even if you’ve also sustained a dental injury.
When You Have a Dental Emergency
Contact a Leawood dentist for emergency treatment if you injure your mouth or a dental treatment has failed. This includes losing a filling or crown, sports injuries, fractured or chipped teeth, knocking out teeth, and trauma to the lip. You should also call them after hours of emergency with any intense toothache, particularly if you have an abscess or another reason to believe your tooth might be infected.
If you do knock out a tooth, call your dentist immediately, handle the tooth minimally, and rinse it with saliva or milk. Try to place it back into the socket, and if that’s not possible, in between the injured person’s teeth and cheek, or in a glass of milk. Baby teeth should not be placed back in the socket.
When to Wait for a Routine Appointment
Gum pain or swelling, cavities and sensitive teeth, jaw pain from temporomandibular joint dysfunction and some other uncomfortable situations can usually wait for a routine appointment. Be sure to speak to your Leawood dentist about what timing is appropriate and how to reduce pain before you can be seen.
Finding a Leawood Dentist You Can Trust
A quick internet search can help you find a Leawood dentist. Be sure the dentist offers advanced treatments as well as a 24/7 emergency hotline. Your dentist should take your insurance if you have a dental plan. You should also review your dentist’s certifications and affiliations and take stock of online reviews by other patients.
With these tips, you’ll be able to act in the event of a dental emergency, knowing you already have a plan in place and an excellent dentist to help you during a moment of crisis. Look for a Leawood dentist near you, make a phone call for a routine appointment, and establish a patient relationship before you need help in an emergency. You can also check out this dentist in Hudgins if you’re living in Virginia.
