Dental Emergencies
Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are painful situations that require immediate treatment to relieve discomfort and save teeth. Issues can arise from fractures, trauma, grinding, or damaged restorations. It’s essential to contact our office promptly, as untreated pain can worsen and impact your overall health.
Types of dental emergency and how to deal with them
If a tooth is knocked out, seek dental help immediately. To increase the chances of saving the tooth:
Call our office right away.
Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently with warm water.
If possible, place the tooth back into its socket. If not, tuck it in your cheek or store it in milk or saliva.
Avoid letting the tooth dry out.
Get to our office quickly.
We may attempt to reattach the tooth; however, if the damage is severe, root canal therapy may be necessary.
Lost filling or crown
If a crown or filling falls out, schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a safe place for potential reattachment. In the meantime:
Apply clove oil to ease any pain.
Clean the crown and use dental cement for a temporary fix.
If the crown is lost, use dental cement to cover the exposed tooth.
Do not use glue. At your appointment, we’ll check the fit of the crown, address any decay, and may create a new crown if necessary.
Cracked or broken teeth
If you have a fractured or cracked tooth, schedule an appointment immediately. In the meantime, follow these steps:
Rinse the tooth fragment and your mouth with lukewarm water.
If there’s bleeding, apply gauze for 10 minutes.
Use a cold, damp towel on your cheek to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
If you can’t see us right away, apply over-the-counter dental cement.
Take a pain reliever as needed.
If the crack extends into the root, root canal therapy may be required. For a complete break, we may be able to temporarily reattach the fragment.
Dislodged/loose teeth
If a tooth is dislodged or loosened due to trauma or decay, it may be saved if it’s still connected to its blood vessels and nerves. Call our office immediately. In the meantime:
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Take over-the-counter pain relief as needed.
During your visit, the dentist will reposition and stabilize the tooth with splints. If the tooth does not heal, root canal therapy may be necessary.