Dental emergencies can be stressful, but with a few helpful hints you can get through the emergency safely until you’re able to schedule an appointment with Silverlake Dental Center. If a more serious injury or life-threatening emergency has occurred, contact your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Toothaches
Toothaches can come and go depending on your circumstances. Maybe you have sensitive teeth and would benefit from toothpaste geared toward sensitivity. It might be a more serious problem, though, and that will require your dentist’s expertise. If you notice a persistent toothache after eating or drinking something cold, hot, or sweet, contact your dentist. He can perform a dental exam to check for potential causes.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If your tooth is knocked out, retrieve it by the crown—the part typically exposed in your mouth—and rinse it with water. Be gentle in how you handle the crown, root, and attached tissue fragments. If you can, put the tooth correctly back in the socket, but never force it. If you can’t fit it back in the socket, put the tooth in a small cup of water with a pinch of salt, or some milk if it’s handy. Then, contact your dentist immediately.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
If your tooth is chipped or broken, save the pieces you can find. Rinse your mouth and the pieces with warm water. To relieve swelling, apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth where the chipped tooth is. The same goes if you have a partially dislodged tooth. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, and stop any bleeding with a piece of gauze held to the spot for about 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Contact your dentist about this emergency as soon as possible.
Lost Appliances
If you lose a filling or crown, make an appointment with your dentist. Bring the crown with you, if possible. If you’re unable to see your dentist right away, then use an over-the-counter dental cement to fill in the cavity or to reattach the crown.