There are many ways people can break their teeth, including chewing hard foods, teeth grinding, injury, and more. Whatever the cause, it’s important to always seek treatment for broken teeth and also understand when the situation will require emergency treatment.
What Consists as an Emergency?
At Bethea Family Dentistry, we consider broken, cracked, or dislodged teeth as emergency cases. At times, it might be difficult to detect the crack in a tooth if it is minor. This is another reason why it is important to keep up with your routine check-ups. During your regular exams, Dr. Bethea will be able to check for any subtle cracks in your teeth that might be causing temperature sensitivity or pain. If even a minor crack is left untreated, infection can set in and lead to decay or in the worst case, tooth extraction.
What Should I Do Next?
If your tooth is visibly broken or dislodged, you’ll want to immediately call and schedule an emergency appointment. Bethea Family Dentistry offers emergency dental services. We leave room in our schedule for emergency same-day appointments. A dental office is better equipped to handle dental emergencies than an emergency room. Hospitals typically do not perform restorative procedures and can’t do more than prescribe pain medication for broken or dislodged teeth.
In the severe case of a knocked out tooth, hold the dislodged tooth by the crown and rinse it with water. Place the tooth in a mild salt solution or milk to prevent the tooth from drying out. Before you head to the dentist, rinse your mouth with water, apply pressure to the bleeding with gauze, and ice the area to reduce any inflammation.
Emergency Dentist in Columbia, SC
If you have experienced trauma to a tooth, don’t wait to see a dentist! Timing could be key to saving a tooth. Dr. Bethea will examine your tooth and determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the situation, he might need to treat any infection with antibiotics. Our team will always try to preserve your natural tooth. When that isn’t possible, we’ll discuss the many options available to restore your smile. If you’re experiencing any kind of tooth pain, or if you have a gut instinct that something is wrong, contact Bethea Family Dentistry right away for an appointment.