A dental emergency can strike at any time, often when you least expect it. Whether you’re dealing with a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or something else entirely, it’s important to know what to do in order to get the care you need as quickly as possible.

Some of the most common dental emergencies we deal with are:

Toothache

A toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies there is. If you’re dealing with a toothache, the first thing you should do is rinse your mouth out with warm water. If the pain persists, take ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever. Avoid putting aspirin directly on your gums, as this can actually damage them further. If the pain is severe, call your emergency dentist in Tampa right away

Cracked Tooth

If you’ve cracked a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and then apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to help reduce swelling. At Optum Dental Arts, we offer chipped tooth repair, so if the crack is severe, call us right away. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and stick to softer foods.

Lost Filling or Crown

If you’ve lost a filling or crown, try to find the piece that fell out and bring it with you to your dentist appointment. In the meantime, you can put a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity where the filling or crown was. This will help keep food out of the area until you can get to our dental office in Tampa. If the tooth is extremely sensitive, try applying a dental cement that you can buy at most drugstores.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you have knocked out a tooth, try to find the tooth and bring it with you to your dentist appointment (be sure not to handle it by the root). Rinse off any dirt but do not scrub it—you don’t want to damage any cells that could be used for reattachment. If possible, try to put the tooth back into place in its socket and bite down on gauze or a wet tea bag to hold it there. Otherwise, store the tooth in milk until you reach our dental office.

Dental emergencies can be frightening—but if you know what to do, they don’t have to be overwhelming. Remember these tips next time you find yourself in a dental bind:

• For a toothache, rinse with warm water and take ibuprofen
• For a cracked tooth, apply a cold compress
• For a lost filling or crown, try finding the piece that fell out
• For a knocked-out tooth, try putting it back in place (if possible)
• Always call your Optum Dental Arts dentist right away!

At Optum Dental Arts, we want you to call us if you have any oral health concerns. Some issues may not be an emergency but should be looked at promptly. If you need urgent dental care, we offer same-day dentistry at our dental center near Carrollwood, in Tampa, FL for dental issues that need immediate care. Don’t wait until you have a problem to make an appointment – prevention is key! Schedule a cleaning today.

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