Dental emergencies happen more often than you think. Luckily, you can count on Alatorre Dental to offer same-day and after-hours emergency services. We value our quality of care and want to make sure we can go above and beyond to fit your dental needs.
Common Dental Emergencies
If you or a loved one experience a dental emergency, call us right away and we’ll walk you through the best mitigating procedures while you make your way to our office. We will do our absolute best to help you as soon as we can.
Here is a list of the most common dental emergencies. If you experience these, call our office right away, then use this list as a reference.
You bit through your cheek, lip, or tongue
Clean the wound with a warm salt-water mixture and cover with gauze to stop any bleeding. If pain continues or the wound starts to swell, use a cold compress. Call our office immediately for further instructions based on the situation.
You knocked a tooth out
Call our office immediately for assistance! If possible, place your tooth back in the socket. This helps mitigate any tooth rot. If you can’t do this, keep the tooth moist either in some milk or in your mouth. Avoid cleaning or scrubbing the tooth at all, as you might damage the tissues.
You have a severe, persistent toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Then, floss thoroughly to remove anything that may be stuck between your teeth. Apply a cold compress if your mouth starts to swell. Finally, call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible if nothing is working.
You cracked or broke a tooth
As with a bite wound, clean your mouth out with warm water and apply gauze or a cold compress as needed. Call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible so that it doesn’t get worse.
You have something stuck between your teeth
Attempt to remove the object with floss and try rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water. Do not use anything sharp such as a toothpick or a knife! Trying to handle it without meticulous care can accidentally create more damage.
If both of these methods do not work, call our office as soon as possible.
What to Do in the Meantime
While you are in the moment of a dental emergency, it can be hard to feel like you can take care of yourself. Here are some tips we would recommend while you wait for your emergency appointment:
- Apply Cold Compress: Mildly pressing the pack onto your jaw can help remove some undue stress while you wait for the appointment.
- Take Pain Relievers: A small dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease the pain while you wait for an appointment to happen.
- Avoid Aggravating Food: If you need to eat before the appointment takes place, make an effort to only eat or drink soft foods.
- Don’t Strain the Tooth: Tugging or adjusting the tooth will only make things worse. Let the professional handle the manipulation; being still is one of the best ways to handle it.
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies
Not all dental emergencies are avoidable, but there are ways to make these situations happen as little as possible. Outside of normal dental habits, these steps to help avoid the issue before it even happens:
- Schedule Frequent Checkups: We recommend visiting our office about every six months for a general checkup. Reduce infections that can turn into a health emergency!
- Check Your Diet: Moderation is key, especially with your oral health. Be mindful of how much hard, sticky, or sugary food you eat. Your smile will thank you later!
- Wear a Mouth Guard: It’s better to be safe than sorry. Using mouth guards temporarily can help you avoid permanently damaged teeth later.
- Use Mouthwash: Mouthwash is another safeguard against gum disease and cavities, and it fortifies your gums from becoming damaged!
Call Alatorre Dental—We Are Ready and Willing to Help
Our team at Alatorre Dental cares about you and wants you and your family to be safe and healthy. If you have a dental emergency, call us right away or visit our Las Vegas office. We want to help you as soon as we can!
