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A Dental Emergency of The Golf Ball Kind

So it’s your day off finally! You just relocated and its time to relax. Off to the golf course for a leisurely game with your 13-year-old son. A little father and son bonding while the wife is out shopping with your daughters. Everything goes fine at first but as luck would have it your son gets beamed with a stray golf ball. What now? His tooth is knocked completely out! He’s relatively calm but you’re a basket case!

Well, first off don’t take time to duke it out with the other golfer. Panic won’t help either. It’s time to demonstrate your finesse over stress. But wait; you just moved to Sunnyvale. Dentist selection is the last item on the “things to do when you move list”. Now it’s time to panic. But that won’t help.

What should happen is that you immediately recover the tooth. Handle only the crown of the tooth if possible. If its fragmented, recover the pieces. It might be possible for a dentist to re-implant the tooth. But don’t forget about your son who is probably bleeding and needs first aid. If you’re an old fashioned guy, you’ve got a clean handkerchief for that tooth. Follow basic first aid procedures for your son.

If there is bleeding to the face try using pressure to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes then a trip to the nearest Emergency Room is needed. If there is not excessive bleeding it may be enough to locate a dentist who will treat an emergency new patient.

But in the mean time concentrate on first aid for that tooth. It may be salvageable Back at the clubhouse gently rinse the tooth and clean out your son’s mouth with water. The tooth may fit back into it’s socket without too much anguish. If so that’s the best place for it.

Hold it in place with gauze or clean cloth. Have your son bite down on it gently. Not a problem if that can’t be done. Find a clean plastic or Styrofoam cup with a lid to keep the tooth in. If you can put milk in the cup with the tooth. If not, water is fine.

Now if your son doesn’t appear to be badly injured; you can probably have him sit somewhere comfortable while you try to find a dentist. It might be a good time to try your wife’s cell phone to tell her what‘s going on. She’s prepared for just this type of emergency and suggests you look online at our site to find the right Sunnyvale dentist for this kind of weekend accident. But whatever you do don’t panic her.

After all you’ve got everything under control. You’ll be able to find a dentist on Saturday who will work you in. This is your opportunity to be a positive role model.

When you do locate that dentist do not hesitate to get your son to that office. Drive safely. Your day off may be shot but that smile can be restored.