Barataria Dental in Marrero offers some tips on avoiding a dental emergency and what to do if you have one. Damage to a tooth or the gums can lead to tooth loss if not repaired or treated in a timely manner- and teeth do not grow back!
One of the most common ways to protect the teeth is to use a mouth guard during physical activity, preferably a custom fit mouth guard that will easily stay in place and offer maximum protection. Watch this short video for more ideas on avoiding tooth damage:
Dr. Burmaster and Dr. Hemphill will make every effort to see patients experiencing a dental emergency, but here are some quick tips for after hours emergencies:
- Contact the office immediately for any emergency, even during off hours- there will be a answering service available to direct you on evenings and weekends.
- Knocked out tooth: gently retrieve the tooth if possible and store it in milk or the patient’s own saliva.
- Abscess or toothache: DO NOT attempt to drain a visible abscess- this can be an infection that may spread if not treated properly. Warm saltwater rinsing or an external cold compress can help alleviate pain until the dentist can see you.