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Mugged–lost my wallet and my tooth

October 14, 2014

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 3:09 pm

I got mugged. The police want me to come to the station, but I want to take care of my tooth, which also got knocked out. I’m hoping you answer these quickly, because I don’t know what to do.

Betsy G. – Nebraska

Betsy,

I’m sorry for your experience. Hopefully, the police will let you take care of your health first and then come by to file a report. You’ll need to get to your dentist’s office within thirty minutes  to have any chance of saving your tooth. You’ll want to keep the tooth moist as well.  If you can’t reach your dentist, there are dentists who will see non-patients in an emergency after hours.

If you’re not able to get to your dentist in time to save your tooth, you’re not doomed to look like a hillbilly. There are tooth replacement options. If you can afford it, the ideal treatment is to get a dental implant to replace your missing tooth. If that is not in your budget, there are other options. You’re dentist can work with you and help you determine the best solution.

If the police apprehend your assailant, I suggest you file a civil suit for him to pay for your treatment. Tooth replacements are pricey.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Does the dentist need to know everything?

August 15, 2014

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 12:24 pm

I was in a situation that I shouldn’t have been in, buying something I shouldn’t have. During the transaction a fight broke out and I got hit in the mouth. My tooth is pretty loose. I know I need to see a dentist, but don’t want to get in legal trouble. Does he need to know how it happened?

Name Withheld

Dear Anonymous,

There is doctor/patient confidentiality, but that doesn’t cover every situation. For instance, if he were to think that you were a danger to yourself or others, than he would be obligated to report it. Other than that, he would generally keep the information to himself.

With any emergency dental situation, you just need to be honest about the physical implications of your injury.  It’s up to you what you tell the dentist. He at the very least needs to know what happened to your mouth. You could just tell him you got into a fight. He doesn’t necessarily need to know why.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Can I go to the ER for a dental problem?

June 14, 2014

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 8:01 pm

I’m in tons of pain. I don’t have a regular dentist, but there is something wrong with my tooth. I can’t bite down. Even breathing hurts. Will an ER see me for a dental emergency?

Sammie M. – New Jersey

Sammie,

I’m sorry for the pain you’re in. There are few things as painful as dental pain. I’m not sure going to the ER will be as useful as you think. Most of them will not treat detnal problems. They might give you some ibuprofen (and then charge you $400 for it.)

My suggestion would be that you see an emergency dentist. Many family dentists will treat dental emergencies for people who aren’t their patients. Most will even see you the same day, if not right away.  They’ll be able to get you out of pain right away. It’s possible they’ll have to schedule a second appointment to repair the root problem, but that will mostly depend on how busy their schedule is when you call.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Filling fell out

December 31, 2013

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 4:24 pm

I have to leave for a business trip in the morning and my stupid filling just fell out.  What do I do?!?

Sarah N.- Minnesotta

Sarah,

You’ll need to find an emergency dentist. There is sure to be one in Minnesotta. However, if you’ve already left for your trip, you can probably find one where you are on your trip.

They’ll be able to give you new filling. If there are any underlying problems that caused the filling to fall, they may just give you a temporary filling until you can get back to see your regular dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Why are my teeth falling out?

October 31, 2013

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 3:49 pm

I have one tooth that has already come out and two more that are loose. I don’t seem to have any cavities and I don’t know what is happening.

Beverly C. – Provo, UT

Beverly,

Bear in mind I haven’t examined you, but it sounds like you have periodontal disease. If this gets left untreated, you will continue to lose teeth.

I’d get in to see your dentist as quickly as possible. If your dentist also considers himself an emergency dentist, you can get in today. If not, you may have to just schedule an appointment for as soon as their schedule allows. In the meantime, make sure you are brushing your teeth carefully and using floss.

You’ll need to find a way to replace these teeth. I’d start with a dental flipper, which is a temporary tooth replacement. This will give you and your dentist time to deal with the periodontal disease and decides which tooth replacement will work best in your case.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Tooth knocked out

September 21, 2013

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 12:50 pm

What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

Andrew M.- Ft. Worth, TX

Andrew,

The faster you get to the dentist, the more of a chance you have of saving your tooth. Ideally, you want to get there within thirty minutes.

If you can’t get in touch with your dentist. Google an emergency dentist. Many of them will see you even if you are not a patient. If there is any dirt on your tooth, you’ll want to remove it. Be careful not to touch the root of the tooth. Only clean the part of your tooth that is normally visible.

You’ll also want to keep the tooth moist. An easy way to do that is to put it in a glass of milk.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

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