Panic and worry are typical responses to dental emergencies. If you are having a dental emergency, call us immediately at our Bridgeport/Trumbull dental office (203-372-1220) or our Shelton dental office (203-378-9737) to get an emergency appointment. Even if our offices are closed, you’ll hear an after-hours number to call and get help.
But panic and worry do not need to be how you respond. In fact, there are three big tips for how you can stay calm and react appropriately during a dental emergency.
The Big 3 Tips For Dental Emergencies
When it comes to handling dental emergencies, there are three tips that are most important: Make a dental first aid kit, stop any bleeding first, and put our numbers in your phone now.
MAKE A DENTAL FIRST AID KIT
Many people have some kind of medical first aid kit in their home. That’s because such a kit comes in very handy when there’s a medical emergency. You can easily make your own dental first aid kit to help treat (and thereby stay calm during) dental emergencies.
First, get a container or box and label it “Dental First Aid”. Then put the following inside:
- Non-aspirin pain relievers
- Plastic gloves
- Sterile gauze
- A small container with a water-tight lid
- Dental cement and applicator
- The address and phone number of the DeJesus Dental Group office nearest you
STOP THE BLEEDING OR VISIT THE ER
In some dental emergencies, you get a bad cut to your gums, tongue, cheeks, or lips. In these cases, stopping the bleeding is your number one concern. Use a sterile cloth or gauze and apply direct pressure to the cut. This should stop the bleeding.
But if the bleeding will not stop, you need to visit your nearest emergency room instead of calling or visiting our dental offices.
PUT OUR PHONE NUMBERS IN YOUR PHONE
When there is an emergency, people often don’t think straight. The panic and worry can make it hard to think clearly, so anything that can help you avoid remembering can be very helpful. That’s why you should put our phone numbers (203-372-1220 for Bridgeport/Trumbull and 203-378-9737 for Shelton) in your phone’s contact list.
This way, instead of trying to find our phone numbers or even typing it in, you can reach us with the touch of a button.
Knowing What To Do Helps You Stay Calm
Having a plan can do wonders for staying calm during a dental emergency. Here are some specific things to do in case of several common emergencies.
You have a loose tooth.
Do not test to see how loose it is! That could just make it come out completely, and a loose tooth can be sometimes saved. Call one of our Connecticut dental offices immediately and ask for the earliest emergency appointment.
You knocked out a tooth.
Pick up the tooth from its top and gently rinse it off. Then try putting it back in your mouth. If it won’t stay, then place it in a small container with enough water or milk to cover it. Then call DeJesus Dental Group for an emergency appointment. Be sure to bring that tooth with you.
You have a cracked or chipped tooth.
Call our Connecticut dental offices (203-372-1220 for Bridgeport/Trumbull and 203-378-9737 for Shelton) immediately. Even if the damage is small, trauma powerful enough to damage enamel can also damage the inside of your tooth.
You have a lost dental crown or lost filling.
For a lost dental crown, use dental cement as a temporary adhesive. Put some inside the dental crown and place it carefully back on your tooth. For a lost filling, use dental cement as directed to create a temporary filling. In both cases, call DeJesus Dental Group immediately and explain what happened. You’ll be seen as soon as possible.
In any dental emergency big or small, call us immediately at our Bridgeport/Trumbull dental office (203-372-1220) or our Shelton dental office (203-378-9737). Or, you can book an appointment online. Our dentists have the training and experience dealing with dental emergencies, so you can get the help you need.