Dental Emergencies

In case of emergency, there may be something you can do depending on the circumstances.The following are some of the types of dental emergencies and what you can do before you can reach us.

Broken Filling

In most cases, treatment can be delayed until a convenient time is available. Rough edges can be smoothed off with an emery board and the hole can be filled with warm wax or sugarless gum.

Loose cap

When a cap (crown) becomes loose or falls off, it can be placed back over the tooth until re-cementation can be done. For a little more security, place a small piece of sugarless gum in the crown for retention. The cap should not be left off the tooth for more than several days or it may not be possible to put it back on. You should go to your dentist as soon as possible to get it recemented because it is very easy to get decay under a loose cap.

Broken tooth

Bring all fragments, for we may be able to bond them back for you. If soft tissue (lips, cheek, tongue) are lacerated, check if the fragments are embedded in the wound. Even if the fragments are lost, see us as soon as possible because the fractured tooth may become sensitive and the infected nerve may cause pain.

Knocked-out Tooth

If a permanent tooth is completely dislodged from the mouth, immediate care is required. If possible, place the tooth back in the bleeding socket, or under your tongue (to keep it moist), or even in a glass of cold saline or milk (not water). You can rinse it with saline or milk (not water), but do not touch or scrub the root;otherwise this may damage the cells on the root surface, which are vital to the success of reimplantation of the tooth. Contact us at once. Remember, the sooner the tooth is put back into its socket, the better the prognosis.

Bleeding

Only severe bleeding is a real emergency. This may be the result of a recent surgical procedure (e.g. extraction) or trauma. Apply pressure to the bleeding area with a teabag or gauze pad and get help as soon as possible.

Swelling

This requires attention as soon as possible and should not be delayed for more than several hours. Sudden swelling is usually the result of infection. Begin rinsing with a solution of water and salt, and you may apply a cold pack to the outside of your face.

Toothache

A severe unrelenting toothache requires immediate professional help. Placing an aspirin/clove oil on the tooth or gum should NEVER be attempted. It won't work and may make things worse. Chemist store remedies are mostly not effective.

Suspicion of Jaw Fracture

Do not move the jaw. Secure the jaw in place by tying a bandage or towel around the jaw and over the top of the head. Go immediately to a hospital emergency room, or call your dentist.