First and foremost, ask your regular dental provider for emergency dentist Hickory Creek recommendations. During regular business hours, most offices will try to accommodate you, but you will need a plan in place for those instances that you find yourself needing care after hours or on weekends and holidays. Your regular provider may have twenty-four hour call accommodations, or he/she may provide a business card and referral for someone who does.

If you find yourself in need of an emergency dentist Hickory Creek residents trust, but don't have a contact, you may find immediate care by accessing a database company that advertises provider search services, or you can call your regular provider's number which may have voice instruction on how to proceed in emergency dental situations.

Follow these rules for the following particular dental emergencies: temporary crown loss, knocked out tooth, cut lip or tongue, broken tooth, and toothache.

For a lost temporary crown, if you have possession of the crown, rinse the natural tooth and mouth with water. Adhere the crown back onto the natural tooth using toothpaste as an adhesive. Call your regular dentist within regular business hours to make an appointment to remedy the situation, or refer to an emergency dental service for further instruction.

If you or a child experience a knocked out tooth, even if it is a baby tooth, and you have possession of the intact tooth, rinse your mouth and the tooth itself, and place it into the empty socket and hold it in place as you make your way to your dentist's office. If you are unable to hold the tooth in place, perhaps you if you are driving yourself or if you are afraid a child will swallow the tooth while trying to hold it in place, submerge the tooth in a baggie of milk. An assessment will be completed upon arrival to assess reattachment. If a tooth is broken rather than completely gone from the socket, rinse with warm water, place a cold compress on the area in order to reduce swelling and follow the protocol for making an appointment.

In the event of a cut or viciously bitten tongue or lip, clean the area, and keep it under a cold compress. If bleeding persists, go to your regular hospital ER following your regular procedure for insurance and referral verifications.

Lastly, if a toothache is the issue at hand, first brush your teeth, rinse, and floss as normal. Concentrate flossing on the aching area focusing on removing any debris that may be causing the pain. You may use a compress to help with pain management or use traditional pain medication such as ibuprofen, but do not place any topical ointment or medicine on the area. Call for a regular appointment emphasizing your degree of pain for a possible resolution.