When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s most likely because you just went through physical trauma that left your tooth damaged or because you had a long-term problem that you didn’t know about or never got treated. The good news is our dentists at OraBell Dental Implant Centers can handle both of these situations and make sure that you’re put on the right path towards proper treatment. Even if you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is a dental emergency, don’t be afraid to call us for emergency dentistry in Van Nuys, CA!
We understand that if you’ve never had to deal with a dental emergency before, you may feel at a loss of what to do next. Dental emergencies come in many different forms, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your situation before you arrive. Start by giving us a call, then take note of the following tips below based on what you’re experiencing. They are likely to make your circumstances better before you eventually arrive at our dental office.
Start by sliding dental floss next to the tooth causing discomfort in order to remove any potential food debris that could be stuck. If pain persists, take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen to reduce any discomfort in the meantime. You can also apply a cold compress to your face to reduce any swelling that’s present.
Collect any pieces of your tooth that you can and bring them to the dental office. Apply a cold compress to your face for 10 minutes at a time, then remove for an additional 10 minutes. This can be done for up to one hour. We may need to cover the damaged tooth with a dental crown.
Locate the tooth and only pick it up by the crown portion. Do not touch the root or remove any tissue that may still be attached. After removing any dirt or debris that you find on the tooth, place it gently back into your open socket. If the tooth does not stay in place after carefully biting down, you can keep it contained in milk or salt water for up to one hour.
While dental fillings will more than likely need to be replaced, dental crowns can be temporarily attached back onto the tooth using either denture adhesive, dental cement, or sugar-free chewing gum. Keep in mind, this is not a permanent solution and a replacement restoration will likely be needed.
The good news is that most dental emergencies can be avoided entirely when you take a few precautions into consideration. This includes:
Depending on the cause of your dental emergency and what treatments are necessary to manage it, the cost of your care can vary. For example, a toothache could only need a dental filling. However, it could also need root canal therapy, which costs more overall. The best way to know for sure is to visit our dental office for a closer exam. Not only can we prevent your dental emergency from worsening (and costing more later), but we can help you build an affordable treatment plan and maximize any insurance benefits you have.