Step One: Find Your Dental Home
The most important step to being well-prepared for a dental emergency is establishing a dental home. This means finding a dental practice that is right for you and sticking with it. When the worst happens unexpectedly, it can be a great help to have a dentist and practise you trust by your side.

If you have found your dental home, you will likely be more familiar with their hours and know if and when your dentist provides emergency services. With an already established relationship, you know your preferred practice will be able to provide high-quality care, advice and support.

Step Two: Be Prepared
We all know accidents happen. Being “prepared” simply means knowing what to do in certain situations before a mishap actually occurs. In a dental emergency, time is of the essence–it could mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), here’s how you should handle these dental emergencies:

When a baby tooth is knocked out…
If this happens to your child, contact their dentist as soon as possible. The tooth will most likely not be replanted because of potential damage to the developing permanent tooth.

When a tooth is fractured or chipped…
Contact your dentist immediately as prompt treatment is required. Rinse out your mouth with water and find any broken tooth fragments. Place the fragments in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dentist.

When a permanent tooth is knocked out…
Again, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from your dentist. Most knocked-out teeth can be saved if a dentist is seen within 30 minutes to an hour of the accident. In the meantime, find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water (no soap), without scrubbing or cleaning it. Replace the tooth back in the socket, if possible, and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a container with cold milk, saliva or water.

We’re Here For You
If you have a dental emergency, call us immediately. We make it our priority to be here for you, rain or shine! Do you have any more questions? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

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If you manage to get your tooth knocked out, here’s what you need to do. In an emergency situation, it is important to keep calm and take steps to ease pain and prevent further damage. Familiarize yourself with what to do in the following common dental emergency scenarios:

Knocked out tooth

The best thing to do is place the tooth back in the socket while on your way to the dentist’s office. If the tooth doesn’t stay in its place, put it between the cheek and gum, in milk, or in your saliva. To help with any bleeding from the tooth socket, apply a cold compress.

Chipped or broken tooth

Collect any pieces you can from the chipped or broken tooth. Rinse the pieces in warm water and rinse your mouth as well. Apply something cold to the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling and pain. See your dentist as soon as possible for minor chips and fractures. If you suspect any nerve damage or if the break is severe, seek medical attention immediately.

Object stuck in teeth

If you have something stuck in your teeth that you can’t handle with some floss, see your dentist as soon as possible. Don’t try to remove whatever’s stuck in your teeth with any sharp or pointed tools. Doing so may cause pain, cut your gums, scratch the tooth surface, or even cause an infection.

Prolonged toothache

If a toothache lasts a while or causes a lot of pain, it should be considered a dental emergency. Try flossing, rinsing with warm water, or applying a cold compress to the outside. If the pain does not subside, contact your dentist for professional help.

For dental emergencies, there is no substitute for seeking immediate dental care. However, you can take action to ease the pain and prevent further damage. Consider adding an emergency tooth preservation kit to your first aid supplies in case of unexpected tooth loss. Always remember to keep calm and act quickly in a dental emergency. Your smile and dental health may depend on it.

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If you are anxious about your appointment with the dentist for tooth extraction, the easiest way to calm your nerves is to know what to expect with the tooth extraction and how to care once the tooth has been extracted. It will help you prepare for your tooth extraction and will also assist in quick recovery. But before you get all ready to have your tooth pulled out, let’s take a look at some f the most common reasons that lead to tooth extraction.

Why You Need Tooth extraction

Although permanent teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, they often don’t. Here’s why!

A Rotted Teeth

Badly damaged or rotted teeth usually do more harm than good. Sometimes, it is better to have such teeth removed altogether. This is the most common reason that leads most people to tooth extraction. Also, it is important to understand that a decaying tooth can not only lead to infection but it can also cause the neighbouring teeth to rot. Therefore, if it is beyond repair, it is better to get rid of it.

A Crowded Mouth

Misaligned teeth due to insufficient space in the mouth are relatively common. If that’s the case with you, your dentist may suggest tooth extraction in order to prepare your mouth for orthodontia, which refers to irregularities in the teeth or jaws. Similarly, it is possible that a tooth is unable to erupt out of the gum, simply, because there is no space. Again, tooth extraction is the most feasible solution to deal with this problem.

Periodontal Disease

It is a gum disease that affects the tissue and bones around the teeth, leading a tooth or multiple teeth to lose support otherwise provided by the gums. If there’s no other way to fix lose teeth, your dentist may suggest a tooth extraction.

Risk of Infection

A rotted tooth can present a number of dental problems. One of the most severe and serious issues associated with decaying teeth is the risk of developing an infection. If harmful bacteria reach the pulp of the tooth, it can lead to infections. In most cases, the problem is corrected through root canal. However, if the infection is severe, you may need to have the tooth pulled out.

Before the Tooth extraction

Keep in mind that while, generally, tooth extraction is safe and does not involve many risks, it is advisable to make sure your dentist know if you have a condition that puts you at a higher risk of developing an infection. Here’s a list of conditions that you must share with your dentist before sitting in for tooth extraction.

• Damaged heart valves
• Liver disease
• Impaired immune system
• Bacterial endocarditis

What to Expect with a Tooth extraction

While it sounds scary, we often exaggerate the horrors of tooth extraction. Throughout the procedure, it is important to remain calm and trust your dentist. Also, know that your dentist or surgeon knows what they are doing. Therefore, there is really nothing to worry about.

Before starting the procedure, your dentist will give you an injection of local anesthesia. It will numb the area where the procedure is to be performed. While the common practice is to use local anesthesia, your dentist can also opt for strong general anesthesia, allowing you to sleep through the procedure.

Once the tooth a removed, a blood clot will form in the empty socket. Your dentist will pack a gauze pad in the socket and have you bite down on it in order to stop the bleeding. To close the gum, your dentist may also place a few stitches. No frets – these stitches are self-dissolving and, under ideal conditions, won’t bother you much.

If everything goes well, you are done with the tooth extraction and will recover in no time. However, sometimes, the blood clot in the socket can get disturbed, exposing the bone. Keep in mind that it is a painful condition and if you experience it, it is best to consult your dentist ASAP. They will put a sedative bandage over the socket for a few days, allowing a new clot to form.

After the tooth extraction

Tooth extraction can be a painful process. Here’s a list of tips that can help you minimize the discomfort and lead you to quick and healthy recovery after having a tooth pulled.

• Your dentist will prescribe painkillers. Take them as prescribed.
• Bite down on the gauze to help form the blood clot. Make sure you change the gauze before it becomes soaked.
• To bring down swelling, apply an ice bag immediately after the procedure.
• Rinsing vigorously or spitting can dislodge the blood clot. Therefore, refrain from doing so.
• After 24 hours, use a saline solution to rinse your mouth.
• In the first 24 hours, avoid smoking.
• Eat only soft foods and avoid sugary drinks.
• Prop your head on a pillow when lying down at night.

Now that you know what to expect with tooth extraction, follow these tips to have a quick recovery. Remember, it is common to experience pain for some days after tooth extraction. However, if the pain is too much or the bleeding won’t stop, it is advisable to see your dentist.

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