Dental Emergencies

Call Us Today – We’ll Accommodate Dental Emergencies During Business Hours.

Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage, as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. Please give us a call and we can help you

temporarily alleviate your dental discomforts.

Here are some tips for different dental emergencies

What should I do when a tooth is knocked out?

• Immediately call our office for an emergency appointment.

• Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone reattachment. • Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub.

• If possible, gently place the clean tooth in the socket to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out.

• If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk or water.

What should I do when a tooth is pushed out of position?

• Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth.

• Bite down to keep the tooth from moving.

What should I do when a tooth is fractured?

• Rinse mouth with warm water.

• Use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling.

• Use ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. • Immediately get to your dentist, who will determine treatment based on how badly the tooth is

broken. Only a dentist can tell how bad the break is.

Minor fracture: Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist or simply left alone. Another option is to restore the tooth with a composite restoration. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days.

Moderate fracture: Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, dentin and/or pulp (nerve and other live tissues). If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If damage to the pulp does occur, further dental treatment will be required.

Severe fracture: Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with slim chance of recovery.

What should I do when tissue is injured?

Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with warm water, and the injured person taken to a hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.