An ounce of prevention, a pound of cure: How to prevent toothaches, injuries, and the need for emergency care

Stephen Huber, DDS, treats concerning changes in the feel or appearance of a tooth or other parts of your mouth with prompt care that is prioritized, based on your needs. Also, if you are due for a check-up, contact our office in Leawood, Kansas, before troubles strike or to resolve any underlying conditions that may be responsible for discomfort and other symptoms. These oral problems do not get better on their own. By maintaining regular, 6-month appointments and other proactive care, you avoid the need for emergency dentistry services.

What is a “dental emergency”?

Urgent matters take on many forms and can affect the hard tissues (teeth) as well as the soft tissues (gums, lips, and inside the cheeks). As needed, we can provide guidance to ease any tooth-related discomfort or facial swelling. We then schedule an appointment to identify the source of the symptoms and to address the underlying condition with appropriate interventions and treatments. For broken restorations and certain cracks, for example, we advise on what to do in the interim – before you are seen in our office for repairs or to replace the restoration, and to otherwise treat the fractured or damaged tooth.

What should I do if my mouth is cut open?

We encourage you to keep these tips in a spot where everyone in your household can see them, and to create your own dental first aid kit (if you don’t already have one). With a little foresight and preparation, you can feel better soon and minimize any potential risks that may be associated with trauma to the cheeks, lips, tongue, and other tissues. The affected areas should generally be cleaned right away with warm (not hot) water. It is also important to get any bleeding under control. For instance, carefully pull a lacerated tongue forward and then apply pressure to the wounded area with gauze. 

What if my tooth gets knocked out?

This is generally considered to be a “true” dental emergency. Try to get to our office as soon as possible. So, we can re-attach the tooth. Also, be sure to handle the knocked-out tooth with great care. You do not want to disturb the tissues attached to it, because they contain cells essential for successful reattachment. Be gentle when rinsing the tooth (you’ll want to remove any dirt or debris). Keep the tooth moist, whether by carefully reinserting it in your mouth (placing it between the cheeks and gums to avoid swallowing risk), or storing it in a tooth-preserving solution or milk. The proteins and properties of milk help to preserve the tooth and fight bacteria. In fact, a solution like Save-A-Tooth is a fantastic addition to your new or improved dental first aid kit! 

Can my tooth be saved?

Stephen Huber, DDS, has the expertise to preserve teeth that might be initially considered “too far gone.” The ability to “save” a badly damaged tooth really depends on the nature and severity of the decay, breakage, or trauma. Depending on your needs, restorative treatment with root canal therapy may be in your future. Today’s techniques and medications support successful, predictable outcomes and a painless experience. If anything, root canal treatment often relieves intense toothaches associated with severe decay and infections; the procedure is designed to treat these, but it does not cause additional pain. And we cannot overemphasize: Even injuries like a knocked-out or avulsed tooth can be avoided with the likes of custom-fit, dentist-approved sports mouthguards. 

To stay ahead of problems, schedule your check-up at our office in Leawood, KS, today at (913) 349-9795. It’s true what they say: an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure!