Do you have a severe toothache? Did you crack a tooth in an accident? Has a dental crown or another piece of dental work fallen out or loose? If you are in San Francisco and you need an emergency dentist, Dr. Sosis of Golden Gate Dental can restore your smile!
If you aren’t sure where to start or what to do during a dental emergency, here’s a helpful guide with our top 5 tips:
1. Do Your Best To Avoid Dental Emergencies Altogether
First and foremost, try to avoid dental emergencies. Of course, this is not always possible, but there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk.
- Don’t chew extremely hard foods like nuts or ice with your front teeth
- Brush and floss properly to avoid gum disease, cavities and tooth infections
- Wear a mouthguard to avoid tooth damage when playing contact sports
- Never use your teeth as “tools” to tear tape, open difficult packages, etc.
- Try to avoid eating gummy, soft and sticky candy if you have multiple dental crowns and fillings
2. Don’t Panic – Dental Emergencies Are Rarely Life-Threatening
Even if you take proper precautions, a dental emergency can still happen to you or a loved one. While dental emergencies are painful and uncomfortable, they are almost never severe enough to be life-threatening. Stay calm, and take the proper steps to ensure that you get the treatment you need.
3. Skip The Emergency Room – Contact An Emergency Dentist ASAP
In most cases, if your dental emergency is minor and you do not have any other injuries, the emergency room will end up referring you to an emergency dentist.
You should only go to an emergency room if you have severe dental trauma, such as a broken jaw, severe lacerations and bleeding in the mouth, or if you believe you may have a head injury. Of course, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you think you have a very severe injury, and need to see someone at the ER, head there first to stay safe.
4. Act Quickly To Save Your Tooth
A knocked-out tooth should be replaced within 1-2 hours, and all other dental injuries and issues can be resolved more effectively the more quickly they’re addressed. To ensure the best outcome for your dental health, it’s important to see a professional emergency dentist right away. Make a same-day appointment with Dr. Sosis at Golden Gate Dental as soon as possible.
5. Mitigate Pain, Bleeding And Discomfort Before Your Appointment
Bleeding can be treated with clean gauze and cotton balls, and should mostly resolve within a few hours. Over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used to treat pain and swelling. Aspirin should not be used, because it’s a blood thinner and prevents proper clotting. Ice can also be applied externally (never directly to the injured area) to help with pain and swelling.
Get Treatment ASAP at Golden Gate Dental!
Dr. Sosis is an expert restorative dentist. She can save your tooth or replace your dental work, and eliminate the pain and discomfort of a dental injury or emergency. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact us now at (415) 367-3444 to let us know that you’re coming in, or walk into our office at 3200 Fulton Street, San Francisco, California 94118. We’ll see you soon.