Sometimes, dental crowns fall off – that’s just how it is. It’s not necessarily an emergency if it happens, but it is a problem you can’t afford to ignore; without a crown, the tooth it was protecting will be in danger of infection and/or further injury. As such, if you have a lost dental crown in Lincoln, it’s important to know how to handle the situation so that your smile stays safe until you can see your dentist. Here are 3 things to do if your crown falls off.
1. Check on Your Crown as Well as Your Tooth
You need to act quickly to take control of the situation once your crown comes off. Find the lost restoration as soon as you can, and make sure to keep it in a safe place until you get to your dentist’s office. If the crown is still mostly intact, you may be able to place it back on the tooth with a dab of toothpaste.
You also need to pay attention to the now exposed tooth, especially if the crown can’t be reattached to it. If it’s in significant pain, you should schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist in Lincoln immediately. On the other hand, if there isn’t any noticeable discomfort, you probably don’t need urgent care, but you still need to call your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you leave the tooth exposed, the greater your risk for further dental issues will be.
2. Be Careful When Practicing Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is especially important when you have an at-risk tooth. Make sure that you’re brushing thoroughly every day. Be very gentle when you brush around the exposed tooth; you don’t want to risk making any existing damage worse. As an extra precaution, you may want to start rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt water every so often. This helps keep harmful oral bacteria in check so that the tooth is less likely to become infected before your dentist can treat it.
3. Stay Away from Certain Foods
You can eat before your emergency appointment with your dentist, but there are certain foods you should avoid until your tooth has been repaired. Exposed teeth are often sensitive, so stay away from anything extremely hot or cold. Also, do not eat anything sticky or chewy, as it could end up melding with the damaged tooth and causing further problems.
The team at your dentist’s office might have further advice for protecting your smile after losing a dental crown. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to panic. As long as you have a reliable dentist to provide you with timely care, a lost crown is a problem that can be corrected quite easily.
About the Authors
Brothers Dr. Ryan Shaffer and Dr. Steven Shaffer are happy to be able to help Lincoln families enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles. Both of them earned their dental doctorates at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and they are trained to offer a wide range of dental services, including lifelike dental crowns and swift emergency appointments. To schedule a visit at their office, South Ridge Dental, visit their website or call (402) 423-1616.