As the holiday weekend approaches and you’re busy packing or planning for the weekend festivities ahead, one of the last things on your mind is probably a dental emergency but accidents happen any time or anywhere and it’s best to be prepared.
Breaking your tooth can be painful and scary but prompt treatment can help alleviate pain and ensure your teeth have the best possible chance of survival.
Teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks, and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding, and biting.
If you have severe pain, it’s essential to contact our office immediately. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize your physical health.
If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to schedule a dental appointment as quickly as possible. Where a segment of tooth has been broken off, here are the 6 steps that can be taken at home:
- Call our Herndon office at (703) 860-8860 during regular hours or (703) 380-0800 for emergencies, off hours, nights or weekends.
- Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water
- Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding
- Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain
- Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately
- Take a topical pain reliever
The nature of the break or fracture will limit what we are able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth. In the case of a complete break, we will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.
Add our number to your cell phone or on your fridge today. It’s always best to be prepared that way you can really lay back, relax and enjoy the weekend knowing that you’re prepared for any emergency should it occur.
From all of us here at PDC, we wish you a wonderful holiday weekend ahead and very happy, healthy and safe 4th of July!