We all want our teeth to be healthy, and we try to take care of them the best we can. Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time. If you should have a dental emergency, contact us as soon as possible. Even if it is outside of office hours, go ahead and give us a call. If possible, we will provide you with prompt medical attention. If we are not able to see you on the same day, we may be able to refer you to another trusted dentist or provide you with specific instructions on how to handle your emergency until you are able to see a dentist. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to minimize the extent of any damage in the event of an emergency.

Cracked/broken tooth

At our office, we know that accidents happen. A tooth can become cracked or chipped if you bite down on something too hard or incur some impact to the face. If the tooth has cracked, but there is no accompanying pain, you should be ok until you can get to the dentist to have your tooth mended. However, if there is pain, you can apply a dental cement to the tooth. This not only alleviates pain, but it can help to save the tooth. Over-the-counter medications can also help with pain and discomfort. Even if the crack or fracture is not visible, you might detect it because you experience some tooth sensitivity. Additionally, a damaged nerve or blood vessel can cause pain. In any case, it is advisable to contact your dentist to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Toothache

A toothache can have several different causes. It is usually a sign of another problem, so you should make an appointment with your dentist to have the cause identified as soon as possible. In the meantime, clean around the affected tooth thoroughly. If you cannot pinpoint the source of the pain, rinse the mouth with warm salt water to clean it and to displace any food that may be lodged in between teeth. Be sure to never use aspirin on any affected teeth. If there is any facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. For temporary pain relief, you can use acetaminophen.

Knocked out tooth

If a tooth is dislodged completely from the mouth, recover it – handling it ONLY by the crown and never the root – and rinse it gently. Do not clean it or handle it excessively. If possible, reinsert the tooth into its socket and hold it in place with a clean piece of gauze or cloth. It can also be kept in a container of water, saliva, or milk. Our goal is to save the tooth and put it back into place, so be sure to contact our office immediately.