Emergency Dentistry

What is a dental emergency?

There are several types of dental emergencies. Examples of dental emergencies can be things like a sudden and severe toothache, an accident that chips or cracks a tooth, a damaged or loose restoration, or a lost or damaged tooth. To know if your situation is an emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you in severe pain or experiencing severe swelling?
• Do you have a painful toothache that will not subside?
• Do you have a loose or knocked-out tooth?
• Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face in combination with a toothache?
• Are you experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity?
• Are you bleeding from the mouth that will not stop?
• Is your jaw injured?

In general, any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is an emergency. This also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening and require professional care as soon as possible.

What’s the best way to handle a dental emergency?

The best thing you can do when you have a dental emergency is to contact your dentist. If the issue is very severe or out of regular office hours however you should go to the nearest emergency room.

Depending on the dental emergency you are experiencing, there may be some things you can do to help ease your pain and help the situation. Some things to try include:

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a mug of warm water and use it as a mouthwash
• Try flossing to eliminate any gum pressure
• Use a cold compress on the swelling or painful area
• Rinse with diluted Hydrogen Peroxide to kill bacteria
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain

What should I do if I have a knocked out tooth?

1. Remain calm and assess the situation.
2. Retrieve the knocked-out tooth, handling it only by the crown (the top part) and avoiding touching the root.
3. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline solution; do not scrub or use soap.
4. Attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket, ensuring it’s facing the correct way. If reinsertion is not possible, proceed to the next step.
5. Store the tooth properly if reinsertion is not feasible. Place it in a container with milk or saliva to keep it moist. Alternatively, use a tooth preservation product available at pharmacies.
6. Seek emergency dental care immediately. Time is crucial for successful reimplantation, so aim to reach a dentist within 30 minutes if possible.
7. While waiting for dental care, apply gentle pressure to the affected area to control bleeding, using a clean cloth or gauze.
8. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary, following the dosage instructions.
9. Avoid touching the tooth’s root and refrain from wrapping it in a dry cloth or tissue.
10. Follow any additional instructions provided by your dentist for post-treatment care and follow-up appointments.