What to do in an emergency?

Dental emergencies can occur at any time, whether at home, at work, or during hobbies and sports.

It is important to seek dental care within the first couple of hours of experiencing an emergency, as the sooner you receive professional care, the better the chances of saving the tooth and restoring oral health.

Here are a few tips to stay prepared for common dental emergencies

Toothaches and Pain

These common dental emergencies can be caused by a variety of issues. If pain or sensitivity is persistent, it may affect a person’s ability to chew and speak. These symptoms may indicate major tooth decay.

Patients can reduce the pain from toothaches at home by first rinsing the mouth with warm, clean water to eliminate bacteria and irritants. Next, individuals should apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling and numb the area. An over-the-counter ibuprofen could also reduce swelling as well as pain.

To treat tooth pain originating from tooth decay, individuals may require root canal therapy or an extraction procedure to eliminate the decayed area.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Individuals may have chipped or cracked a tooth by using teeth to rip open packaging or chewing on hard objects or food. Depending on the extent of the damage done to the enamel, bacteria may seep into the dental chamber and infect the inner pulp.

Rinse the area with cool water to keep the damaged tooth clean and free of any debris. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and stop bleeding if present.

 It is important to see the dentist to have these extensive chips and cracks sealed with a crown to restore the tooth’s structure and prevent infection.

Knocked Out Teeth

If the tooth is intact when knocked out, it can be reattached if properly cared for within a few hours of the event. Handle the tooth by the crown and rinse any debris. Be sure to be careful during this step, as touching the root could damage connective nerve tissue necessary for reattachment.

Keep the knocked out tooth in a tooth preservation product approved by the ADA. These can be bought at any local pharmacy. Patients can use cow’s milk as an alternative preservative.