Many dental offices have had to close or limit their hours and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At North Meridian Dental Excellence, we offer emergency dental services even while the pandemic is going on. Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht, a dentist in Indianapolis, IN, discusses what you should do if you’re experiencing a dental emergency.
Handling a Dental Emergency
The first thing you should do if you’re suffering from a dental emergency is to call our office. We want to get you seen as soon as possible. Below are some common dental emergencies you might be suffering from and what you should do until you can be seen in the office.
Severe Tooth Pain
Tooth pain is never something that you should just brush off. There are many things that can cause it, all of which you’ll want to get taken care of. These include tooth decay, a dental abscess, or an infection. Most of the time, you won’t be able to tell which one it is until a dentist examines it. Use over the counter pain medication to ease the pain and a cold compress if you experience any swelling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Your natural instinct when an adult tooth is knocked out is probably to panic. However, stay calm and retrieve the tooth, picking it up only by the crown and avoiding the tooth root. Rinse off any dirt or anything that’s accumulated on it. Place the tooth in a cup of your own saliva or milk to try and preserve it. Never try to put the tooth back into the socket by yourself.
Bring the tooth with you for your appointment. Dr. Ahlbrecht will examine the tooth and evaluate if it’s still viable. If not, our office has multiple options for replacing missing teeth. In particular, we recommend dental implants. They’re the most stable and natural form of tooth replacement. You’ll barely be able to tell the difference!
Broken or Missing Dental Restorations
Dental restorations are supposed to be reliable and last. But accidents can happen and restorations can break. If you’re missing a dental crown or have a cracked one, don’t try to replace it yourself. You may damage or injure your tooth. Typically, dental crowns can’t be repaired and replaced. Dr. Ahlbrecht will most likely have to craft a new one for you.
If your dental bridge breaks, bring in all of the pieces to your appointment. The dentist will evaluate whether it would be better for the bridge to be repaired or for a new one to be made for you.
Your Dentist in Indianapolis, Indiana
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. We’re here for you after the pandemic is over as well. Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future.