Don’t ignore a true dental emergency when it happens to you.
Think you are dealing with a dental emergency? If so, you may be wondering, “Now what?” Our Frederick, MD, general, cosmetic and restorative dentists Dr. Jared Lawson, Dr. EJ Stringer and Dr. Amadeus Lopez, periodontist Dr. Ashley Seals, oral surgeon Dr. Brian Chang, endodontist Dr. Pratik Patel and orthodontist Dr. Stephen Tigani are here to help you pinpoint a true dental emergency so you know what steps to take next.
Dental Emergencies
So what constitutes a dental emergency? Here are problems that can arise that need immediate attention from your Frederick, MD, dentist:
- A toothache
- A cracked or fractured tooth
- A knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
- A severely bitten tongue or lip
- Broken dental work or braces
If you or a family member is dealing with any of the problems above, it’s time to get immediate dental care.
Stay Calm and Seek Dental Care
While we know it can be difficult to stay calm when you are dealing with a dental emergency it’s important not to freak out. Here are some pointers to follow to help you know what to do when a dental emergency happens to you or a loved one:
- Call your dentist right away and let them know what’s going on. They will let you know whether you need to come in right away. This is the first and most important step you need to take.
- If you are dealing with pain or swelling, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen to at least temporarily stave off discomfort until you get into our office. Never rub aspirin or any pain reliever directly on your gums.
- If your tooth has been knocked out or cracked, collect the tooth (or pieces of the tooth). If the tooth is fully intact rinse it with lukewarm water (handle the tooth by the crown only; never the roots) and then carefully try to place it back in the socket. If the tooth won’t go back in the socket hold the tooth between your cheeks and your gums and head to our office immediately. Cracked pieces of a tooth can be placed into a protective container.
- If there is bleeding, apply a clean cloth to the area and apply pressure for several minutes. If the bleeding gets worse or doesn’t stop in 15 minutes then you may need to go to your nearest emergency room.
- If there is facial swelling, take a pain reliever or apply a hot or cold compress to your face for 10-15 minutes at a time.
If you are looking for emergency dental care in Frederick, MD, then look no further than Pearlfection Dentistry. We are proud to provide comprehensive dental services to the Hagerstown and Germantown, MD, areas, and we are only 45 minutes from Washington, DC, and Baltimore. If you have a dental emergency call us right away.