{"id":941,"date":"2018-12-02T18:24:26","date_gmt":"2018-12-02T18:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premierdentalwaco.com\/blog\/?p=941"},"modified":"2019-01-02T18:25:25","modified_gmt":"2019-01-02T18:25:25","slug":"got-dental-emergency-in-waco-heres-what-should-do-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premierdentalwaco.com\/blog\/got-dental-emergency-in-waco-heres-what-should-do-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Got a Dental Emergency in Waco? Here\u2019s What You Should Do Next"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Despite efforts to improve access to dental care, people are\nstill visiting the emergency room in record numbers for dental emergencies.\nAccording to an analysis of federal data conducted by the American Dental\nAssociation, dental ER visits have doubled from 1.1 million in the year 2000 to\n2.2 million in 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than anything else, pain is what pushes people to visit\nthe hospital, as well as the belief that seeing the dentist regularly isn\u2019t necessary\nif you don\u2019t have any dental issues. This couldn\u2019t be further from the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about the most common dental\nemergencies<\/a>, what to do before your visit and when you should visit a dentist\nfor a dental emergency in Waco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Common Dental Emergencies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many types of dental emergencies to consider. The most\ncommon dental emergency is tooth pain, typically as a result of poor oral\nhygiene. In this instance, it\u2019s likely decay breaking down the enamel layers of\nyour tooth and exposing the dentin and nerves. However, this pain can just as\neasily appear as a result of trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another common dental emergency is broken or cracked teeth,\ntypically as a result of playing a contact sport without proper protection. However,\nit can also occur if you\u2019re eating a tough or crunchy food and your enamel is\nweak. If you suffer from chronic teeth grinding, you should own a custom-made nightguard\nto prevent enamel wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, knocked-out teeth can easily occur if you have gum\ndisease or participate in contact sports on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Handle Dental Emergencies Before Your Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While all of these issues should result in scheduling an\nemergency appointment with the dentist, there are steps you should take prior\nto your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your tooth hurts, floss around the area to remove potential\nfood debris. If pain persists, take an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen\nor acetaminophen. Apply an ice pack to your cheek to reduce swelling if\npresent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broken or cracked teeth, whether they be natural teeth or\nrestorations, need to be examined by a dentist right away if pain is present.\nAvoid chewing on that side of your mouth and take pain meds to alleviate discomfort.\nIf you still have the filling or crown, use dental cement to temporarily reseat\nit. Apply clove oil to the tooth beforehand to reduce any discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your tooth is knocked-out, pick it up by the crown and\nrinse off any debris. Make sure not to remove any tissue still attached. Place\nthe tooth back into your socket. If not possible, keep the tooth in milk,\nsaliva or saline solution and get to the dentist within the next hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When You Should Visit an Emergency Room<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The only time you should be visiting the emergency room for\na dental issue is if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n