At Kenneth Hovden DDS, we hope you never need emergency dental care, like that provided by Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City. It’s vital, however, to know what to do in such a situation. Here is a quiz on dental emergencies and other oral troubles.
1. One of the wires on your braces breaks. What do you do?
a. Cut off the loose piece.
b. Put a piece of orthodontic wax on the end if it is irritating your tongue or gums. Schedule an appointment promptly with your orthodontist to have it fixed.
c. If the wire has cut your gums, rinse with a solution of salt and water.
Both b and c are correct. If you don’t have a piece of orthodontic wax, you can use a cotton ball to cover the sharp end. If you cut off the loose end of the wire, you risk swallowing it.
2. Your six-year-old falls on the driveway and knocks out a front tooth. What do you do before driving immediately to the nearest dental office or ER?
a. Put the tooth back in the socket.
b. If the tooth is dirty, scrub it with a brush.
c. Put the tooth in milk.
Your response depends on whether it is a baby tooth or permanent tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it may be successfully re-implanted if done swiftly. Make sure you only hold the tooth by the crown, never touch the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water being careful not to brush off any tissue attached. If you can, reinsert the tooth into its socket. This may not be possible with younger children.
Because it is critical to keep the tooth from drying out on your way to your dentist or nearest emergency room, you can put the tooth in a cup of milk. Baby teeth should not be reinserted because it can potentially damage the emerging tooth.
3. You lose a filling and the tooth starts hurting. After scheduling an appointment with your Daly City dentist, what do you do in the meantime?
a. Save the filling.
b. Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
c. Put an aspirin on the tooth.
Both a and b are correct. Though your dentist can’t use the same filling to repair the problem, it may reveal useful information about the cause of the separation. Never put an aspirin on a tooth because the acid in it could irritate your gums.
4. One of your teeth suddenly darkens. What are the possible causes?
a. The nerve inside the tooth is damaged.
b. It is a side effect of a medication you are taking.
c. Gum disease.
d. An infection.
The answer is all of the above.
Kenneth Hovden DDS in Daly City provides emergency dental care, as well as general dentistry. Keep us on speed dial! And schedule your next six-month checkup today.
Contact Kenneth Hovden DDS:
650-755-6000
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
901 Campus Dr Ste 202
Daly City, California
94015
