Dr. Jennifer DeCota, D.D.S.
(636) 349-2400
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Dental Emergencies
We all know that accidents happen -- and if you've had an injury to the teeth, mouth or jaw, you need to be seen at our office right away. Putting off dental treatment for a dental emergency now only increases the risk of further damage later, which could translate into more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. So whether you're suffering from a broken tooth, some sort of trauma, or are desperately seeking toothache remedies, don't put off treatment for your dental emergency another day.
Pain tells our body that something is wrong. It also means it's time to seek treatment for something you might have been putting off for awhile. Here is a list of common dental problems along with some simple management steps until you can get to our office.
- Bitten Lip or Tongue -- Clean the area and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn't stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room.
- Broken Tooth -- Save any pieces of the broken tooth and rinse your mouth out with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to decrease swelling and pain until you can be seen by an emergency dentist.
- Broken Jaw -- Apply a cold compress to limit swelling and see your dentist right away.
- Knocked Out Tooth -- Gently rinse off the knocked out tooth without removing any attached tissue. If possible, hold the tooth in place in the socket. Otherwise, put the tooth in a glass of milk and get to an emergency dentist right away.
- Object Stuck in Teeth -- Carefully try to remove the object with dental floss. (Don't try using a sharp instrument instead!) If you're unable to dislodge the object with dental floss, contact your dentist.
- Toothache -- Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use dental floss to make sure there isn't any food or other debris causing the pain. If the pain persists, call your dentist.
- Lost Dental Filling or Dental Crown -- For dental fillings, if its sensitive, buy some over-the-counter dental cement and place where the filling was lost. If a dental crown has come loose, try to put it back in place with dental cement. If that doesn't work, bring it with you to the dentist.
- Dental Abscess -- If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums, rinse with salt water and immediately contact an emergency dentist. Dental abscesses can lead to more serious infections if not treated promptly.
Helpful Preventive Tips
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best way to help prevent a dental emergency. Along with regular brushing and flossing, avoid chewing on ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels, which could potentially crack teeth without you even knowing. And don't force your teeth to tear open a package -- use the scissors instead. If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to cushion your teeth from excessive force or trauma.Regular dental visits allow your dentist to diagnose and treat dental problems before they become more severe or painful. But even with the best planning and dental care, accidents happen.
If you think you have a dental emergency that needs immediate attention, call us at 636 349-2400.
∗Our emergency line for existing patients is 314 749-5366.