Something unexpected is guaranteed to happen this time of year — are you prepared for it? With increased travel, special parties, and large gatherings all around, it seems like people of all ages are more likely to experience a dental emergency over the holidays. Acting quickly can mean the difference in saving your tooth or not. Program our doctors’ number into your phone so you have help right at your fingertips.

Dental emergencies take people by surprise all the time, but those who know the emergency dentist in Dix Hills receive the care they need, right when they need it. Some of the most common dental emergencies include knocked out or dislodged teeth, severe toothaches or abscess, broken dental work, and others. Here’s what to do when one of them happens to you or someone you love.

Knocked Out or Dislodged Tooth

When a family football game or bike ride results in someone missing a tooth, acting quickly is of utmost importance. Contact your dentist immediately. A tooth that remains out of the gum line for more than two hours is unlikely to be reattached.

Collect the tooth and rinse away any dust or debris. Do not touch the tooth’s root or scrub its surface (doing so can damage the delicate cells). Store the tooth in its empty socket, in the cheek, or in a cup of milk until you can reach your dentist’s office for immediate attention.

If the tooth has been dislodged but still remains in the gum, try to gently work it back into the proper position. Do not force it back, though. Apply an ice pack to keep the swelling down and manage pain.

Toothache or Abscess

Your schedule is jam packed in November and December, and that leaves a lot of people putting off the dental care they need. Unfortunately, delaying necessary attention can cause a small bit of decay or a barely-there ache to turn into a significant problem.

Seek dental care as soon as you feel discomfort in one of your teeth. If the pain becomes so intense that you cannot go about your daily activities, you may have an abscess. Emergency root canal therapy may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and save your tooth from extraction.

Until you can reach your dentist’s office, take an over-the-counter pain medication to relieve discomfort. Dr. Gaur or Dr. Soni-Gaur may prescribe something stronger as necessary once your tooth has been treated.

Broken Dental Work

If a filling, crown, bridge, or any other type of dental work becomes loose, quick repair is important for preventing further injury to the mouth and protecting the tooth. Contact your dentist quickly to schedule an emergency appointment. In the meantime, you may temporarily attach the lost piece with toothpaste or a denture adhesive.

Save Our Number!

What would you do in the face of a dental emergency? We hope the answer is place a quick call to your emergency dentist at Dix Hills Family Dentistry. Save our contact information somewhere it’s easy to find today!