Emergency Dental Care

Dealing with a Dental Emergency

When dealing with a dental emergency, it is critical that you know what to do while you await emergency medical care. Knowing what to do in emergency situations could mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Knocked out Tooth

It is important that you do not touch the root of your tooth if your tooth has been knocked out. Rinse the crown in water, but do not scrub. Scrubbing the crown could result in removing some of the attached tissue fragments. If you can, try to place the tooth back in its socket. However, if this is not a possibility, place the crown in a cup of milk in order to prevent it from drying out while await emergency dental care.

Broken Tooth

If you have broken a tooth, you should thoroughly rinse out your mouth with warm water. This will ensure that the mouth cavity is clean. Then, you can alternate a cold compress on and off in 20-minute increments.

Lost Filling or Crown

Contact your dentist office immediately if you have lost a filling or crown. Not only can this cause pain, but it can also further damage the affected tooth.

Severe Toothache Pain

Severe tooth pain is often the sign that something is seriously wrong. Toothache can be the symptom of advanced periodontal disease, a lost filling, or decayed, cracker, or broken teeth. If the pain is accompanied by a small bump on the gums, this may indicate that your tooth is abscessed. In this case, root canal treatment may be necessary. You can alternate a cold compress on and off in 20-minute increments while you await emergency medical care.

Being prepared for emergency situations is the best method for ensuring the best possible outcome. Follow these steps to help preserve the health of your teeth in the case of an emergency. If you are in need of emergency dental care, give us a call and we would be happy to talk you through the necessary steps that you need to take.