Millions of people are going to be traveling this holiday season to visit family. This usually takes a lot of planning, and inevitably something will go wrong. Planes will be delayed, weather will turn, and traffic will be impenetrable. Of course, the risks don’t exactly stop when your family makes it to their destination. People eat special foods during the holidays, many of them being extremely hard candies that can easily damage teeth. Do you have a plan if you or your visiting family have a sudden dental emergency? It might seem like a stretch, but it’s certainly possible, and you don’t want to have to do research while someone is in pain. Your emergency dentist in Copperas Cove, wants you to have a plan this holiday so you have one less thing to think about.
What Is A Dental Emergency?
You might be asking yourself, “What qualifies as a dental emergency?” You don’t want to overreact and rush to the dentist’s office if it’s not serious. The biggest indicator is pain; if you or your family member are in so much dental pain that they cannot focus on anything else, it’s probably a dental emergency. Some common examples are:
- Knocked out tooth
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Severe toothache
- Injury to the gums or jaw
- Large object caught between teeth
- Swelling of the cheek or jaw
In any of these situations, you need to act fast so you can get the care you need.
What You Can Do
The first thing you need to do is stay calm. This will enable you to think clearly and take action. You should then immediately call your dentist in Copperas Cove. In fact, you should put our number in your phone right now so that you don’t have to look it up while someone is injured. We will always try to see you as soon as possible. We will also let you know how to provide first-aid until you see us.
Some common tips for dental emergencies are:
- Keep a knocked out or broken tooth wet, whether it means placing it back in your mouth or even in a container of milk. These will help preserve it until we can see you.
- Wash the injured area with warm water to help lower the risk of infection.
- Use a cold compress to minimize any pain you are experiencing.
- Ideally, have someone else drive you to the office.
A few ways you can prevent a dental emergency are to be careful when you are chewing really hard foods, or items with bones. Try to avoid chewing ice as well. Before the holidays really start, a simple check-up at Benchmark Family Dental can help catch something that might cause you to have an emergency down the road.
Any Questions?
The holidays may be stressful, but we’re happy to be there for you if things really go awry. You have a plan now, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about. Your teeth are taken care of. Now, you can concentrate on your holiday plans and enjoy the season with peace of mind.
If you’d like to know more about what to do in a dental emergency, or how to prevent one this holiday season, please call us today.