Have a Plan for a Dental Emergency in Longmeadow, MA
If you’re like most of us in Longmeadow, you have a plan for most emergencies. You have a first aid kit. You know what to do in the event of a blizzard, hurricane, or heatwave. Maybe you’ve even taken first aid and CPR classes. We hope so! That is valuable information to have!
So, what kind of preparing have you done for a dental emergency? While you may never need to know how to reset a broken limb, you absolutely might need to know what to do in the event of a dental crisis.
Most people don’t know what a dental emergency is or how to handle the situation, which is one reason why we have put together this guide for you! We will explain the most common forms of dental emergencies and what you will need to respond to those emergencies. Let’s get started!
What Makes An Emergency?
Rarely is a dental emergency a life-threatening situation. If it is, the only thing you need to do is call 911. A dental emergency is considered an emergency because your tooth is at risk of being lost completely and you are unable to function in your day-to-day routines.
Extreme Pain – It might simply be a whole lot of pain! Generally, extreme pain accompanies an infected tooth, but that’s not always the case. Regardless, your smile needs to be seen right away!
Broken Appliance – If you have appliances in your mouth (bridges, crowns, braces, etc), you are at risk of having one of those appliances break. It is a problem because your tooth enamel below the appliance has been compromised. It is not strong enough to ward off harmful bacteria, which is why you need to see us immediately!
Injured Tooth – The most frightening dental emergency is an injured tooth. A wrong bite can cause your tooth to break or crack. A blow to the face by an elbow can knock out your tooth completely! This is definitely a case that needs to be seen right away!
Preparing for a Dental Emergency
No one knows when a dental emergency will strike, which is why it’s important to be prepared! After all, that’s why you have a first aid kit, is it not? Why not also develop a dental emergency kit and know how to use it in the event of a crisis!
Make a Kit
A dental emergency kit should include some things you already have, like gauze (to bite down on should a tooth come out of the socket), tweezers (to pick up said tooth) and pain relievers (to give you more comfort until you can get to the office). But you can add a couple of items as well, like a small container (to carry a broken or dislodged tooth in milk or saliva) and some temporary adhesive (like denture adhesive to replace broken appliances). Once your kit is created, you can simply add it to your first aid kit!
We Are Here to Help
It is important to have a basic understanding of dental emergencies and the supplies you would need to take care of those emergencies, but the first phone call you should make it to our office. We see emergency patients on the same day as the emergency!
We are able to do this because of our convenient hours. Contact us today to set up your next routine appointment, and let us know what concerns you most about dental emergencies. We would love to help you feel more prepared!