San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Most of us love the holidays! Time off from work, togetherness with friends and family, plus, who could resist all the delicious food! But, what do you do when you suddenly have a toothache or broken tooth, and it’s the holidays? While most dental offices are closed on major holidays, your emergency dentists in San Francisco want you to know how you can deal with a dental emergency over the holidays.
Home remedies for tooth pain
Toothaches seem always to happen overnight or when you can’t get in to see your dentist. If this happens to you this holiday, see if taking over-the-counter pain reliever will provide you with enough relief to get through the night and the next day until you can see your dentist. Try also applying an ice pack in 20-minute intervals to see if it helps ease any pain. Avoid using analgesic gels as they sometimes cause gum irritation. Instead, place a clove or clove oil on the gum area next to the problem tooth. Rinsing your mouth out with warm salt water may also help ease any discomfort.
What to do when a filling falls out
Those old silver fillings are notorious for falling out when you least expect it. A lost filling could cause tooth sensitivity, but more than likely will be an irritation to your tongue more than anything. Try to baby the tooth by not chewing on the affected side. Also, be sure to clean the tooth thoroughly by rinsing with warm salt water after you eat, and brush twice a day. Try to avoid messing with it with your tongue as this may only lead to soreness and discomfort.
Pain and Swelling
Most people can usually get by for a day or two with mild discomfort or a broken tooth. If, however, you are experiencing excruciating pain, any swelling of the face, or notice puss leaking from around the problem tooth accompanied by a fever, please call our office immediately for attention or go to the nearest emergency room. These symptoms often are a sign of an abscess or an infected tooth, which could seriously compromise your health and even your life if you ignore it. If left untreated, an infection can spread throughout the body, including the brain and result in harm to your health or even death!
Prevent dental mishaps this holiday season
Emergency dental care sometimes simply cannot be avoided at times. However, taking good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily, eating a balanced diet that is low in sugar, and visiting your San Francisco dentist twice a year can help limit the occurrence of emergency dental visits. Part of your checkups involves an oral assessment in which we also take digital X-rays, which allow us to see what is happening below your gum line and between your teeth. If something is spotted during your visit, we can take care of it before it creates the need for an emergency trip to the hospital or dentist.
Emergency Dental Care in San Francisco
If you experience the need for emergency dental care, please contact the office of Glen Park Dental by calling (415) 585-1500.
We welcome patients of Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco areas.
