Does This Injury Warrant a Visit to the Dentist?

The average population is aware of the difference that visiting the dentist on a regular basis can make, not only in their dental health, but also in overall health. Once you begin to have trouble with your mouth, those issues can drastically affect your nutrition, your communication, and many other areas of you well-being. So, besides a visit to the dental office twice a year, what are other reasons to schedule an appointment?

Some tooth injuries require immediate attention, either by a same-day emergency dental appointment, or a visit to your local hospital's emergency room. One of these urgent issues is losing a tooth in an injury. If you lose a permanent tooth for any reason the first step is to keep the tooth moist. This can be accomplished by replacing it into the socket and holding it there with your tongue, other teeth or hand. You can also simply keep it in your mouth between the cheek and gum. If you can't stand the thought of your dislocated tooth in your mouth, you can also store it in a cup of milk. Never touch the root part of the tooth, handle it only by the crown (the part you use to chew your food).

Another dental injury that requires immediate attention is a tooth which is knocked out of alignment. If you can, try and push those teeth back into alignment with gentle pressure. If they won't move, don't force them too much. You can hold them in place by biting down gently as you make your way to the dentist or emergency room.

Cuts which occur in your cheeks, gums or even tongue may require immediate attention depending on their severity. Biting your cheek or tongue during a fall may result in serious injury which requires a visit to the emergency room. As long as the cut continues to bleed, apply pressure right onto the area to help staunch the bleeding. Your attending physician or dentist will determine what treatment needs to be done. Some wounds need to be stitched, while others will be allowed to heal on their own. Some pose the risk of infection, so you may be required to take antibiotics for a time while the wound heals.

Broken or chipped teeth may or may not require immediate attention. You should definitely call the dental office and make an appointment as soon as possible after the accident. The staff will be able to advise you of what to do and if you need to be seen right away. As with a lost permanent tooth, keep the chip or broken part moist by placing it in a wet cloth until you can be seen by a professional. At times, the broken part may be replaced, or you may be required to see a cosmetic dentist for repair using synthetic materials.

If you have any questions at all about your dental health or an injury which has occurred, don't hesitate to give your dental office a call!