Find out how to handle knocked-out teeth with these crucial emergency tips.
Losing a tooth is traumatic. In every situation, a knocked-out tooth requires an emergency dentist in Calgary’s SW. Finding a dentist who can treat you 24/7 is often crucial to the survival of your natural teeth.
Why Should You Keep Your Natural Teeth?
If you want to avoid the sagging effect that happens when you lose teeth, you need to protect them. Bad habits like opening cans with your teeth can cause one to pop out. If this happens, it is important to wash it with water and place it in saline solution or milk. This may help save the tooth if you can get to the dentist within 30 minutes. Your emergency dentist in SW Calgary might be able to place it back in its socket.
When you have a full set of teeth, you can:
- Use them to function properly for eating, drinking, and speaking
- Show off a great smile
- Prevent your other teeth from shifting in your mouth
- Steer clear of oral infections due to a gap that is more prone to bacteria
There are options for tooth replacement, but treatments can be costly. It also requires time to get accustomed to dental appliances like implants, bridges, or crowns. Having teeth in any situation is better than leaving a space when one or more teeth get knocked out.
How to Maintain Your Natural Teeth
There are all sorts of ways to help avoid losing teeth.
- Brush twice daily and floss thoroughly to get rid of the plaque and tartar that damages your enamel
- Visiting your dentist for check-ups and cleanings helps identify issues before they become a problem.
- Wear a mouthguard while playing sports to help protect your teeth from popping out on sudden impact
- Eat healthy, chewing on things like apples that are saliva-producing, aiding in cleaning your teeth
Tips Just in Case of a Knock-Out
You might run into a situation where you need tips for a knocked-out tooth.
- Avoid touching the root of a tooth as this is where the bone and tissues are for re-attachment
- Never wipe the fallen-out tooth with a cloth as it can contaminate or damage it
- Try putting the tooth that has come out of your mouth back in place. Close your mouth around it and gently bite down to keep it in place as saliva can help it survive for re-attachment within 30 minutes.
Next Steps – In Case Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved
If your dentist determines your tooth or teeth cannot be saved, then you may be presented with these options:
- Dentures
Your dentist will walk you through each of these options and recommend which one is best suited to your situation. If you have questions or concerns, this is a great time to speak to your dentist about them.
What Can You Do Before Arriving at an Emergency Dentist in Calgary’s SW?
No matter what your dental emergency is, you can do the following to help avoid a bad situation getting worse.
- Remain Calm – Low-stress levels make it easier to think during a critical time. This also makes dealing with treatment easier. Maybe listen to your favourite tunes on the way to the dentist.
- Call Right Away – Call your emergency dentist to walk you through steps on how to take care of the situation before you get to the office
- Use Cold – An emergency dental situation can cause pain. Alleviate some of this pain by using a cold compress on the injured area.
- Clean It – Rinse the exposed area with water to help it stay clean and have a better chance at survival
- Avoid Food and Beverage – Halt eating and drinking until you have the all-clear to do so from your dentist as this may only cause more injury to the damaged zone
What Are Other Common Dental Emergency Scenarios?
A fallen-out tooth is not the only situation that calls for emergency dental. You may have:
- Chipped a tooth
- Broken a braces wire
- Sudden, extreme toothache
- Excessive bleeding gums
- Lots of decay
Take Care of Yourself
Save your teeth with every effort you can! You can aid yourself in a disastrous dental situation until you arrive at the dentist’s office. We will take care of you from here and provide a comprehensive examination of your oral cavity to repair the damage. At Glenbrook Dental, an emergency dentist in Calgary’s SW, training and compassion are at the heart of what we do.