Get To Know Us If your tooth chips, falls out, or has an extreme, persistent ache, then you have a dental emergency on your hands. Seeing your dentist as soon as possible (or going to the emergency room if the dentist’s office is closed) is what you need to do.
What To Do If You Have A Dental Emergency
While you are waiting to see your dentist, there are a few actions you can take to help:
- A Tooth Falls Out: Try to replant the tooth. Do not touch the root or force it in the socket. If you cannot replant the tooth, then keep it moist by putting it in milk or in your mouth.
- Toothache: If this is persistent and accompanied with fever or swelling, see your dentist as soon as you can. Hold a compress to your face to reduce swelling, rinse your mouth with warm water, and gently floss your teeth.
- Chipped Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the face to reduce swelling. If there is bleeding in the mouth, press a gauze pad to the area for 10 minutes (or until the bleeding stops).
- Objects Stuck In The Teeth: First try to floss these objects out yourself. Do not pick them out with a sharp object because doing so can harm teeth and gums.
- Bitten Tongue Or Lip: Gently clean the area with water, apply a cold compress to the face to reduce swelling, and press a gauze pad to the damaged area to stop bleeding.
How To Prevent A Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies can be unexpected, but there are some ways you can prevent them:
- Wear a mouth guard while participating in sports or other recreational activities.
- Avoid chewing on hard objects like popcorn kernels, ice, hard candy, fingernails, pens, etc.
- Don’t use your teeth to cut through items, use scissors.