We hope you never suffer a serious dental emergency. However, accidents do happen and we at William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in San Antonio want you to know that if and when they do, we’re available to help. Please consider calling our office if you or your family member is ever in need of emergency dental care in the San Antonio area.
It’s important that you know what to do in an emergency situation. Here is a quiz on dental emergencies and other oral issues.
1. One of the wires on your braces breaks. What do you do?
a. Cut off the loose piece.
b. Put a piece of orthodontic wax on the end if it is irritating your tongue or gums. Schedule an appointment promptly with your orthodontist to have it fixed.
c. If the wire has cut your gums, rinse with a solution of salt and water.
Both b and c are correct. If you don’t have a piece of orthodontic wax, you can use a cotton ball to cover the sharp end. If you cut off the loose end of the wire, you risk swallowing it.
2. Your six-year-old falls on the driveway and knocks out a front tooth. What do you do before driving immediately to the nearest dental office or ER?
a. Put the tooth back in the socket.
b. If the tooth is dirty, scrub it with a brush.
c. Put the tooth in milk.
Baby tooth or permanent tooth? If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it may be successfully re-implanted if done quickly. Make sure you only hold the tooth by the crown, never touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water being cautious not to brush off any tissue attached. It possible, put the tooth back in the socket. This may not be possible with younger children.
Because it is important to keep the tooth from drying out on your way to your dentist or nearest emergency room, you can put the tooth in a cup of milk. Baby teeth should not be reinserted because it can potentially damage the emerging tooth.
3. You lose a filling and the tooth starts hurting. After scheduling an appointment with your dentist, what do you do in the meantime?
a. Save the filling.
b. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
c. Put an aspirin on the tooth.
Both a and b are correct. Though your dentist can’t use the same filling to repair the problem, it may reveal useful information about the cause of the separation. Never put an aspirin on a tooth because the acid in it could irritate your gums.
4. One of your teeth suddenly darkens. What is a possible cause?
a. The nerve inside the tooth is damaged.
b. It is a side effect of a medication you are taking.
c. Gum disease.
d. An infection.
The answer is all of the above.
For any dental emergency, please consider calling William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in San Antonio. We also offer general and family dentistry. We have been providing quality dental care for San Antonio residents since 1981. When trying to save a knocked-out tooth, every minute counts.
CONTACT WILLIAM J. STEWART JR. DDS:
210-493-3040
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
13220 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, Texas
78230
