You can take all the right steps –brushing and flossing regularly, attending your scheduled checkups, and so on – and yet, accidents can still occur. Whether you are injured during physical activity, trip and land face-first on the sidewalk, or even simply bite down on a crunchy food item such as a chip, you may endure a dental emergency that could result in a broken tooth or even structural loss. Regardless of the circumstance, it is important to act efficiently in order to address your emergency concern, and your Leawood, KS dentist is here to help.
Remain Calm
When it comes to maintaining a healthy grin, preventive dentistry is the name of the game. What this means is that your routine of brushing and flossing regularly coupled with attending a checkup and cleaning at least once every six months is entirely necessary to ensure the healthy development of your smile. While it may seem you are doing everything right, the fact of the matter is that accidents happen. What is most important, however, is how you respond to these concerns when they occur because it just might be the one factor that separates saving your smile or having to restore it entirely. That being said, the first step when experiencing a dental emergency is to stay calm.
Depending on the severity of the concern, you may experience a period of shock. During this time, you could either be in a tremendous amount of pain that causes you to panic, or you may be in a state of disbelief and unable to move or process the event. Either way, it is important you try to remain calm to the best of your ability in order to act efficiently.
Acting with Efficiency
Your dental emergency could very well be time-dependent, meaning acting with efficiency is necessary to yield the best results. If you are experiencing swelling, bleeding, or tooth loss, grab an ice pack or compress to hold against the impacted area. You will need to make arrangements to arrive at our office, which means having a family member take you or contacting a friend to drive you if you are unable to. Also make sure to grab important items such as your wallet, keys, and anything for added comfort such as a blanket or your ice pack.
Handling Dislodged Structures
One of the most important steps in addressing your emergent concern is to identify if there are any dislodged structures. This can include chipped parts of a tooth or even an entire structure. In the event of a dislodged tooth, make sure to carefully rinse it under warm water, attempting to keep any attached tissues intact. Then, place it in an air-tight container of saltwater or milk, and bring it with you to your appointment.
Learn More
Emergency Dental concerns can be frightening, but acting with calmness and efficiency can help make the process smoother. Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your appointment today.
