Be Prepared for a Tooth Emergency

At Oak Dental Associates, Dr. Chris Pallotto and our team have seen firsthand how unexpectedly dental emergencies can arise. As we strive to help you with all of your oral care needs, we want to review three possible dental emergencies that can crop up so that you might be prepared and receive the proper treatment as quickly as possible. While you are waiting to be seen by our team, the following tips can help you save a tooth:

Lost Tooth

Timing is crucial for a tooth that has been dislodged due to injury or trauma. The key to helping ensure the tooth’s re-implantation is keeping it moist and protecting the tooth root. You can place the tooth in the socket or between your cheek and gums. Your saliva is your best protector of the tooth root. If you can’t keep it in your mouth, try placing it in a small container of milk, or if you have a tooth preservation product in your emergency kit, use that. Avoid handling the tooth by the root and handle it as little as possible and only by the crown.

Cracked Tooth

What if you bite into something only to feel a sudden jarring? If you bite into something and discover that you may have cracked a tooth, start by rinsing your mouth gently to remove oral debris including food particles. If you are experiencing swelling in the gum tissue around the affected tooth, apply a cold compress to your cheek where the fracture occurred to help reduce swelling. Make an appointment with our dentist as soon as you can to have the tooth looked at.

Toothache

If you have a persistent toothache, while you are waiting to be seen by our dentist you can rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris. If there is food lodged between your teeth, gently remove it using dental floss.

If your toothache is caused by a mild infection, it may go sometimes away on its own. To help reduce the inflammation, rinse your mouth with a salt water solution. Just stir a spoonful of salt in a cup of warm water until it dissolves, then periodically rinse with the solution so that it washes over the affected area.

Don’t let an unforeseen dental emergency mar your healthy smile. Please call us immediately at 708-422-1900 to see when we can fit you in. If it is after hours, call us as soon as you can. If you require immediate care, visit your local emergency room. If you have any questions, give us a call. Dr. Chris Pallotto and our team in Oak Lawn, Illinois, are here for you!