At Gary Pointer, DDS, we understand the serious toll that a dental emergency takes on a person. The pain of a toothache may be so severe that you can’t even focus on your work properly, or a dislodged tooth might have derailed your impending vacation before it even got the chance to start. When these severe situations happen, being able to find fast, effective relief is priceless. That’s why Dr. Pointer makes every effort to see and treat emergency cases right away for his valued patients. Our practice is always available by phone 24 hours a day as well, and we can provide instructions over the phone. Don’t hesitate to contact us here in Fort Worth, TX if you’re in need of help.
Here are some helpful tips for what you should do in the immediate aftermath of certain emergency situations:
If any large pieces of the tooth have become fully dislodged, gather them up and bring them with you to our practice. If your face begins to swell, the use of a cold compress can reduce the effects.
Do you still have the tooth? If you do and wish to have it re-implanted in its original spot, first rinse the crown portion of any dirt or other debris and then place it carefully back into the socket. If this can’t be done for whatever reason, you can also hold it inside your cheek or place it in a container of milk. The idea is to keep the tooth as moist as possible. There is only a limited window of time to save the tooth, so don’t wait to contact Dr. Pointer.
Sometimes, oral pain is caused by a large piece of food or other foreign object that’s become lodged between the teeth. In order to rule this possibility out, start by thoroughly flossing and rinsing the mouth. If the discomfort doesn’t subside, our team will want to see you as soon as possible.
