Are You Prepared for a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can take place any time of day. A toothache, broken tooth or even a knocked-out tooth are examples of a dental emergencies. Knowing what to do can help you handle the emergency.

Keep your dental office phone number with other emergency numbers. Most dental offices have an after-hours call line. Call the dentist as soon as possible for instructions on how to handle a dental emergency. Emergency rooms and urgent care centers can only provide temporary solutions that may not solve the problem. Your dentist can provide the treatment to fix the problem.

  • Toothache: Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Gently use dental floss, a flosser or a dental soft-pick to remove food or object between teeth. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be taken as directed for discomfort. Avoid placing aspirin or other pain relievers directly against the gums near the aching tooth, as this can burn the gums. A dentist should evaluate the condition as soon as possible.
  • Objects caught between teeth: Carefully attempt to remove the object with dental floss, a flosser or a dental soft-pick. Never use a sharp or pointed object to remove what is stuck between teeth. Contact your dentist if the object cannot be removed with floss.
  • Braces: Call your orthodontist if a loose wire or bracket is poking or cutting cheeks or gums. The orthodontist will tell you what to do. They can provide wax and ways to take care of the problem until you can get to the orthodontic office.
  • Knocked-out tooth: Remain calm and try to find the tooth. Rinse out the mouth gently with water if dirt entered the mouth. Hold the tooth by the chewing surface if it is found. Do not touch the roots. Gently rinse the tooth with water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue pieces. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket while you go to the dentist. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water. Go to the dentist within one (1) hour or as soon as possible to help save the tooth. Be sure to take the tooth with you.
  • Broken tooth: Rinse mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the outside of the face to reduce possible swelling. Use gauze to apply pressure to the area if there is bleeding. Go to your dental office as soon as possible. Take the broken piece of tooth with you if it is found.
  • Tongue, lip bites or mouth wounds: Rinse the mouth with warm water. Gently clean the area with a clean cloth. Apply cold compress to reduce swelling. Apply pressure with gauze on the wound to stop bleeding. Go to emergency room or urgent care clinic if bleeding cannot be stopped. Go to emergency room or urgent care clinic if the wound is deep, has redness and/or drainage.
  • Possible broken jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. There may be wounds to the outside of your face or inside your mouth. Apply pressure with gauze to the wound to stop bleeding. When your jaw is broken, your teeth may not come together correctly. Go to an emergency room as soon as possible.

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