Trauma to a tooth or other part of the mouth can result in extreme pain and serious damage. Seeing an emergency dentist in Des Plaines will alleviate or lessen the pain and deterioration. Until you can see an emergency dentist, there are actions to take to decrease permanent damage and the need for expensive dental treatment later on.
If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with warm water and salt. Use dental floss to dislodge substances caught in between teeth or between teeth and gums. Pain can be helped by using a cold compress. A cloth or ice pack will suffice for this. Place this compress on the outside of the mouth on the cheek, lips, or chin. This will help reduce swelling to the area and slow the metabolic rate. It’s not advisable to rub a painkiller into the injured site due to the risk of irritating gum tissue.
Having a knocked-out tooth is more complicated. If you see an Emergency Dentist in Des Plaines soon enough after this occurs, he may be able to reattach the tooth. When a tooth is knocked out of its socket, pick the tooth up by the crown (chewing surface). Do not touch the tooth roots. This anatomical portion of the tooth is attached by the periodontal ligament to the alveolar bone. An emergency dentist will need to attach the root or roots to the nerve for the tooth to have a blood supply. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with warm water without using soap or other chemicals. Reposition the tooth back in its socket. Keep it in place by gently biting down or holding it in place with your fingers. If a tooth can’t be placed back into its socket, put the tooth in a cup or milk or in the mouth facing the cheek. Keeping the knocked-out tooth moist is important.
In both of the above-mentioned cases, seeing a dentist within an hour will increase the likelihood of salvaging the tooth or as much of it as possible. Retaining natural teeth adds to optimal dental health and overall health.
