It’s Spring Break, and your child is home from school. He grabs his bike and heads down the street to play with friends. About 30 minutes later, the neighbor calls saying your son fell off his bike and knocked out a tooth. Why do these things always happen outside of school? An emergency dentist in Salt Lake City discusses why these accidents happen more often while out of school or on vacation, as well as other common dental emergencies.
From Fun to Frantic
Everyone loves a vacation, and kids can’t wait for school to let out, but why is it that dental emergencies always happen when you’re away from your regular dentist?
After School
While at school, your children are safely seated in their chairs most of the day. When they come home, they’re out playing with friends. This opens them up to more risky situations that can lead to injury.
Vacation
At home, you’re more aware of what is around and how to prevent injury; however, when visiting a new place, you’re unfamiliar with the surroundings. if you’re not careful, your enjoyable hike through Bell’s Canyon can take an unpleasant turn.
When a dental emergency strikes, visit the nearby emergency room and ask for a dentist referral. If you’re abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy or your hotel personnel for a referral.
Common Dental Emergencies
We often think of a knocked-out tooth as the only dental emergency that occurs; however, there are quite a few others that can have you dialing your dentist for help. These include:
Broken Jaw
Place a cold compress against the injured area to help reduce swelling. While calling your emergency dentist is important, you may also need to visit the emergency room to receive immediate help.
Cracked Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and keep the tooth area clean. To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. If possible, place clear wax over any sharp edges or points to prevent damage to nearby teeth or gums. Wax or gauze can also help with loose wire from your braces.
Toothache
If food is stuck between your teeth, rinse with warm water before gently flossing between your teeth to remove any debris. A pain reliever may help dull any ache you are experiencing, but never use aspirin, as it could burn your gums.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
clean the area with a cloth and apply a cold compress to prevent swelling. If bleeding does not stop, apply pressure to the area and go to your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.
Knocked Out Tooth
Retrieve the tooth and hold it by the crown. Only rinse the root if it’s dirty. If you’re unable to place it back in its socket, put it in a milk container. Your dentist may be able to save the tooth if treated immediately.
No matter the severity, call your dentist in Salt Lake City as soon as possible. This will ensure you and/or your child receives the attention needed to minimize the loss of natural tooth structure.
About the Author
Graduating from the University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry, Dr. Charles R. Walker, D.D.S. has practiced in the Sale Lake City area since 1987. Prior to dental school, he earned a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California at Davis. He and his team use state-of-the-art technology to help patients yield better smiles. If you’re interested in learning more about Dr. Walker and his team, contact us at (801) 467-6886.