Emergency Dentistry

What’s the best way to handle a dental emergency?

In a dental emergency, it is best to contact your dentist. You should go to the emergency room if the situation is extremely severe. Depending on the type of dental emergency you are experiencing, there may be some things you can do to ease the pain and the situation. Some helpful tips include:

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a mug of warm water and use it as a mouthwash
• If your tooth is knocked out, place it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist
• Try flossing to eliminate any gum pressure
• Use a cold compress on the swelling or painful area
• Rinse with diluted Hydrogen Peroxide to kill bacteria
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain

What is a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can take different forms and can occur at any time. Common dental emergencies include sudden and severe toothache, a cracked or chipped tooth, a loose or damaged restoration, or a lost tooth. Surprisingly, about 22 percent of people have experienced dental or oral pain in the last six months. To determine if your situation warrants immediate attention, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you experiencing severe pain or swelling?
• Do you have a toothache that won’t go away?
• Have you lost or knocked out a tooth?
• Is there swelling in your cheeks or face accompanied by a toothache?
• Do you have extreme tooth sensitivity?
• Are you experiencing uncontrollable bleeding from your mouth?
• Have you injured your jaw?

Generally, any dental problem requiring urgent care to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening and should prompt you to contact your dental office immediately.

What is not a dental emergency?

If you can manage the problem independently for a few days without seeing your dentist, it’s probably not a dental emergency. For instance, if you have a chipped or cracked tooth, it will only be considered an emergency if the fracture has caused you pain or injury to your mouth. Similarly, if you have lost a tooth or filling, waiting a few days before seeing your dentist is okay.