Chipped or broken teeth can be painful as well as scary, and, depending on the degree of damage, you may or may not need to seek professional dental treatment immediately. Since these types of injuries often occur outside of regular business hours, if there’s no emergency dentist in your area, then you need to know how to protect your tooth and jaw in the meantime. Please continue reading to learn more about treating a damaged tooth.
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What Should I Immediately Do When I Lose Or Damage A Tooth?
If you have broken or chipped a tooth and you can find the piece of tooth, then immediately wrap it in a piece of gauze that’s wet but not dripping. Call your emergency dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. Place pressure and a cold compress on the damaged tooth to stop the bleeding, reduce the swelling, and possibly alleviate some of the pain.
If your tooth has fallen out, find the tooth, rinse it in cool water but don’t scrub the tooth. Replace it in the socket if you can but be sure you only touch the crown. Don’t touch the bottom of the tooth. Call your dentist immediately and try to get seen within 30 minutes.
How Do I Treat My Mouth If I’ve Damaged A Tooth?
Dentists don’t recommend self-repair for damaged teeth, but if you have damaged one or more teeth, then the following steps can help.
Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply an ice pack or cold compress to the outside of your cheek. Be sure to wrap an ice pack in a towel, so you don’t damage your skin. You can take over-the-counter pain medications if you’re in significant pain, but don’t exceed the recommended dosage and inform your dentist that you’ve taken them. If you have clove oil, you can use it to reduce the pain and alleviate some of the swelling. If your tooth has a sharp edge, then place dental wax over it until you can get to the dentist. This will protect the inside of your mouth from cuts or abrasions.
How Do I Know If I Need To See A Dentist?
The average bite pressure strength of a human is 162 pounds per square inch, so tooth damage is almost inevitable at some point. However, not all damage will require the services of a dentist. If you have very small cracks or chips, then you probably won’t need professional dental treatment. If, however, you can see a crack, you should consult your dentist because it’s not possible to determine the depth of the crack, and professional intervention can save a tooth that might otherwise be lost. A lack of treatment could result in an infection, loss of the tooth, or the need for a root canal.
How Does A Dentist Treat Minor Damage?
If your tooth is only slightly damaged, your dentist may be able to polish the surface or smooth a jagged tooth. This is called cosmetic contouring and can be less expensive than other, more invasive procedures such as a filling or root canal.
Are Tooth Repairs Expensive?
The cost of repairing a damaged tooth will depend on the degree of damage done and the location of the tooth. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of emergency dental work that’s deemed medically necessary but check with your insurance provider to make sure. Cosmetic contouring will probably be less expensive than if you need an extraction, a root canal, or a crown, but you shouldn’t delay seeking needed treatment because of the cost. Most dental offices provide financing plans that will enable you to receive the treatment you need at a price you can afford.
Is There An Emergency Dentist In The Los Angeles Area?
If you need emergency dental care and you live in the Los Angeles area, then call the emergency dental office of Dr. Bruce Vafa at (424) 253-5152. Dr. Vafa has been serving the local area for more than two decades. We know that dental emergencies happen at all hours, usually when it’s most inconvenient, and we’re here for your emergency dental needs 24/7. We’re one of the best in the area for emergency dental treatment, and we’ll provide you with a price quote and work with you to make sure that you can afford the emergency dental treatment you need.
If you’re unsure whether you have an emergency, then answers to the following questions may help you decide:
- Do you have an infection?
- Are you bleeding?
- Are you experiencing severe pain?
- Is the area swollen?
- Has there been physical damage?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then you should seek emergency dental treatment, so call our offices without delay.31