Despite our best efforts, dental emergencies can happen. It is very important that you know what your first steps should be if these situations arise. Becoming familiar with dental emergency procedures can make the difference between losing and saving a tooth. In any dental emergency, we urge you to call our dentist in Webb City, Missouri, so that you can come in for an appointment as soon as possible.
Toothache
If you experience a toothache, floss to remove any food
or debris that may be trapped between the teeth. It may also be helpful to rinse
your mouth with warm water. Come to our office as soon as you can.
Knocked Out Tooth
If you or a loved one gets a tooth knocked out,
act quickly to increase the chances of the tooth being saved. Rinse the tooth off
with cold water, but do not scrub it. Attempt to place the tooth back into the open
tooth socket in the mouth. If the tooth does not easily reinsert, do not force it
in. Instead, place the tooth in a small container of cold milk or water. See Dr.
Kevin Caldwell as soon as you can.
Chipped Tooth
In the event of a chipped tooth, save the pieces in
cold milk or water and bring them to our office. Be aware that the rough edge of
tooth could cut your lip if you are not careful. Remove any small pieces of tooth or
debris by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Use a cold compress to reduce any
swelling.
Bitten Tongue
If you bite your tongue hard enough to cause
bleeding, gently clean the area with a clean cloth. Use a cold compress to reduce
any swelling. Seek treatment from our dentist or the emergency room immediately if
the bleeding is substantial or does not stop quickly.
We encourage you to contact our office at 417.673.1988 as soon as possible if you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency or if you have any questions.