What is emergency dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is, as the term implies, dental care geared toward conditions that require immediate attention. Most patients need emergency dentistry after suffering severe physical trauma, like getting a tooth knocked out or sustaining a significant chip.
Emergency dentistry can be necessary for other situations, like a severely infected tooth.
You should try to see Dr. DiMariano as soon as possible after your dental emergency. Getting to the office within a half-hour of your injury could make the difference between saving or losing your tooth.
What are some conditions that require emergency care?
A variety of situations can call for emergency dentistry, including sports-related injuries, automobile accidents, or biting down too hard on something. Some types of dental emergencies include:
- Bleeding on your tongue, cheeks, or gums
- Swelling of your tongue, cheeks, or gums
- A tooth with a severe chip or crack
- Significant pain in your jaw or teeth
- A loosened or knocked-out tooth
Some situations, like minor fractures or a slightly chipped tooth, don't always require emergency treatment. However, it's better to be safe than sorry.
If you're not sure whether you need emergency care, call Dr. DiMariano's office. The team of dental professionals can help you determine how quickly you need to be seen.
What should I do until my appointment?
You can save your damaged tooth if you act quickly. Begin by rinsing your mouth with warm water, and then call Dr. DiMariano for an emergency appointment.
If your tooth was knocked out of its socket, rinse the tooth and the inside of your mouth with warm water. Be careful not to touch the tooth by its roots, and make sure to hold it by the crown.
Try to get your tooth back in its socket if you can, and bite down softly on it with a piece of wet gauze or a moistened tea bag. Be careful not to swallow the tooth.
If you can't get your tooth back into its socket, put it in milk or saliva until you get to the dentist. This step will help prevent the roots from drying out.
Whatever your dental emergency, Dr. DiMariano can help. Book your appointment immediately by calling the office.
