As an emergency dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma, our team at Santa Fe Dental understands that some dental problems just can’t wait until an appointment opens up on the schedule. That’s why we offer same day emergency dental appointments to patients who need immediate care.

Of course, not every twinge of pain or uncomfortable bite means that you need to see an emergency dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma. Some types of oral health problems can cause discomfort but don’t require the need to seek immediate dental care. Being able to differentiate between what can wait and what needs immediate care can save you a lot of time and stress.

Here are a few of the types of dental emergencies that require seeking immediate care.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Few things cause more stress and shock for a patient then a knocked out tooth. Visions of living life with a gap in their smile can leave many patients feeling anxious and overly concerned about repairing their tooth back to health.

Fortunately, when quickly addressed with immediate care, a knocked out tooth can potentially be restored back to health. By following the steps below, the odds become very good that the tooth can be reinserted and preserved by an emergency dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma.

• Pick the tooth up by the crown (top). Take care not to touch the roots.
• Very gently rinse the tooth off to remove any dirt or debris. Do not scrub the tooth or use anything other than water to clean the tooth.
• If possible, place the tooth gently back into its socket. Only return the tooth after you have rinsed it off.
• If you can’t place the tooth back in its socket, put the tooth into a small container or in a cup of milk. Placing the tooth in milk will help to preserve the health of the tooth longer.
• Call our team at Santa Fe Dental immediately. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely it can be restored back to health.

Loose Tooth

If after an accident you feel a tooth has become loose or knocked out of alignment, you need to call our team at Santa Fe Dental to schedule an emergency exam. Little separates a loose tooth from one that’s knocked out entirely. The longer you wait the more permanent damage can be done.

If you have a tooth that’s been knocked out of alignment, you can try to push it back into position using your finger and very light pressure. Do not attempt to force your tooth back into place. You can bite down on the tooth to keep it from moving, but don’t do anything else to the tooth until seen by our team at Santa Fe Dental.

Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Tooth

A chipped tooth that causes you no discomfort doesn’t rank as a dental emergency and can wait to receive treatment for a few days. However, you need to take care while chewing so as to not damage the tooth any further. Our team at Santa Fe Dental may be able to smooth out a chipped tooth, or add composite material to repair the tooth.

Conversely, a broken or cracked tooth constitutes a dental emergency and requires immediate care. When a tooth breaks or cracks, it indicates that damage likely occurred within the tooth as well as the outside. If a severe fracture occurs, many times the tooth cannot be saved. If you experience a cracked or broken tooth, you need to schedule an immediate appointment after following these steps:

• Clean out your mouth by gently rinsing with warm water.
• If the fracture was the result of a facial trauma, apply a cold compress to the affected area.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
• Never apply a pain reliever directly to the gums as it can burn the gum tissue.

While we never hope that our patients suffer a dental emergency, know that the team at Santa Fe Dental is here to help if you do.