As much as we’d like to avoid them, dental emergencies happen from time to time. Dr. Vinh T. Pham and our team stress the importance of acting quickly to lessen the damage. Of course, it is always important to visit our dentist (or a medical doctor) as soon as possible if there is a dental emergency. We are happy to offer the following tips on what to do before coming to our office.
Knocked Out Tooth
If a tooth gets knocked out, rinse it off in cold water. Do not scrub the tooth or hold it by the root. Then try to reinsert the tooth into its socket, but do not force it back in place. If the tooth will not go back in easily, place it in a cup of cold milk or water. Visit our dentist as quickly as possible. This could mean the difference between keeping and losing the tooth.
Chipped Tooth
In the case of a chipped or cracked tooth, call our office right away. Gather any pieces of tooth and place them in cold milk or water to bring to our office. Be careful of the edge of the damaged tooth, as it could cut the soft tissues of the mouth. Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any debris. To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you bite your tongue or lip, gently clean the area with a cloth and then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. In the case that the bleeding doesn’t stop quickly or is heavy, contact our office or the emergency room as soon as possible.
Contact our dental office in Campbell, California, as soon as possible if you experience a dental emergency. Our Kirkwood Dental team is here to answer any questions that you may have.