How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Posted by Nicole

Dental emergencies can come in many forms, and some dental emergencies are more urgent than others. Being prepared by having knowledge about how you should handle them, should they occur, will ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies that we see and what you should do between the time they happen and calling our office.

Toothache or Oral Pain

Give your mouth a good rinse with warm water. Next, apply a compress – this can be either cold or warm based on your preference to help provide some pain relief. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen can also aid in reducing your pain. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle and let your dentist know what you have taken when you see us. The severity of your pain should dictate how soon you should call us. If your pain is mild, you can be more casual. If your pain is severe, you should call us right away as a more serious problem could be the cause of the pain.

Broken, Chipped or Cracked Tooth

You will want to find and save any pieces of the tooth. Next, using warm water, rinse out your mouth. If there is bleeding, apply some light pressure with gauze or a soft, clean cloth. A cold compress outside of the mouth can be helpful in preventing and reducing any swelling that may occur. This is an emergency that you will want to call us right away for.

Tooth Knocked Out

First, find the missing tooth. With clean hands, hold the tooth by the crown. Do not touch the root. Rinse the off the tooth with water, but don’t scrub. Attempt to replace the tooth in its original position and hold it in place. If you cannot hold it there, you can also store it in a glass of milk. Call our office right away as this is another emergency in which time is of the essence. If we can replant the tooth within half an hour, there is a good chance we can save it.

Tooth Abscess

A tooth abscess is an infection around the root of the tooth. Some of the tell-tale signs are a throbbing aching sensation that can radiate to the cheek, ear, jaw, or neck. Sometimes fever may accompany this or swelling of the face or cheek. An abscess can be a serious and very painful condition. To help, rinse your mouth with warm salty water, and apply a cold compress to provide some relief. Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen as directed on the bottle is also helpful. You should also call us right away if you believe you have a tooth abscess.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are on the fence about whether you need to be seen, give us a call. We’ll be happy to talk through what is happening with you and help you determine what should be done. Goebel Family Dentistry will see you the same day if it is needed.