Have you developed a sudden, inexplicable pain in your tooth, or has your mouth suffered from some sort of physical trauma? Odds are you have a dental emergency and acting quickly could mean the difference between keeping your complete smile and losing some of your teeth. Dr. Pham will make arrangements to see you as quickly as possible to repair the damage and help you relieve your pain. If you or someone you love has developed dental problem that needs urgent attention, get in touch with Downtown Family Dental of Leesburg immediately; we can advise you on keeping your teeth safe until your appointment.
It’s hard to have an exact definition for a dental emergency simply because there are so many kinds. In general, though, any condition that’s causing you pain or discomfort, has caused swelling or bleeding, or has damaged your teeth should be treated as an emergency. If you’re not sure whether an oral health issue rises to the level of an emergency, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call us for an appointment.
When you have a toothache that’s causing severe discomfort and lasts more than a couple of days, it’s usually a sign of an infection that could require a root canal. The pain might also be due to a lodge piece of food; floss around the affected area to rule out this possibility.
A broken tooth can be repaired if you save the fragment, and loose teeth can often be saved if you’re treated quickly. While you’re waiting for your appointment, keep the discomfort under control with ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain medication. If a broken tooth has caused your gums to swell, try applying a cold compress for about ten minutes at a time.
You need to get to our office quickly if you want there to be any hope of saving your tooth. Once you’ve made the appointment, rinse the tooth off with water. (Make sure you only pick up the tooth by the crown; grabbing the tooth’s root could kill any live tissue needed for reattachment.) Put the tooth back in its socket if you can; otherwise, preserve it by storing it in your cheek or putting it in a sealed container filled with milk.
Losing a filling or crown usually means leaving a damaged or weakened tooth exposed; avoid chewing with it, as it could be fragile and sensitive. Sometimes a dab of toothpaste, denture adhesive, or dental cement can hold the lost restoration in place long enough for you to see the dentist for a more permanent solution.