Dental Emergency? Get Prepared Before You Rush to the Dentist

Dentist Blog

With good dental hygiene and regular dentist check-ups, your chances of a dental emergency are minimised. Still, you can't predict or prevent accidents, and there may be occasions when you need to rush to an emergency dentist despite taking all the precautions you can. Most often, an emergency involves a tooth being knocked out, but it can also be other injuries or problems that cause significant pain and put your health at risk.

When an emergency does happen, your first thought is probably going to be getting to the dentist as fast as possible. Before you head out, though, take a few moments to run through this list and make sure you're prepared.

If your tooth is knocked out, keep it safe

If it's at all possible, retrieve the lost tooth. In many cases, it can be reinserted, but this is usually only possible if the tooth has been cared for properly.

Give the tooth a quick rinse if it's been on the floor and place it into a container of milk, making sure the tooth is fully covered. Milk is the best liquid to keep the tooth in, but if you don't have any available, keep the tooth moist with clean water or, if possible, saliva.

Arrange for someone to drive you

You might be fine to drive to the dentist, but the anaesthetic used for treatment can leave you unable to drive home again. Contact someone who can transport you to and from the dentist so you don't have to worry about driving. If there's nobody available, call a taxi instead.

Give your dentist a quick call

It's tempting to rush out and turn up expecting to be seen, but you might have quite a wait if you do this. Phoning your dentist before you leave gives the office chance to rearrange appointments to fit you in or advise you on the best time to arrive. They might also be able to give you advice on how to reduce your pain in the meantime, or if there's anything else you can do to help.

Take any information you might need

If you need documentation when you see the dentist, make sure you remember to pick it up and take it with you. It's also helpful if you're able to take along any medication you're taking, which may affect what the dentist is able to give you. Finally, if you have any underlying medical conditions the dentist is unaware of, it can be useful if you take along any information you have on them.

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11 April 2018

Dental Care and Seniors: Helping to Maintain Your Smile

As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.