Dental Emergencies

Toothache.

What should I do first?

Tooth pain may be controlled by over-the-counter pain-killers. Ease the pain with pain medication that you have used before and for which you don’t have any medical restrictions that prevent you from taking it.

DO NOT put aspirin or any other pain medication against the gums or near the aching tooth. You might burn your gum tissue.

Applying a cold compress may help.

Oral gels that numb pain may provide relief in some cases.

What do I do next?

Make an appointment! A toothache is an indication of an underlying problem. We do NOT recommend you only treat the pain. A dentist should examine the tooth at the earliest convenience. There are many possible causes for your toothache, all which may result in relapses, swelling and even more severe pain in the future.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

What should I do first?

Save any pieces you can. Rinse your mouth as well as any broken pieces with lukewarm water. If there is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth until the bleeding stops. If it doesn't stop, please go to the hospital.

What do I do next?

See us as soon as possible. Bring the pieces! Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a towel to the affected area of your face to lessen swelling. If you are bleeding uncontrollably, call us for a consultation, we might have to send you to the hospital.

Knocked-out Tooth

What should I do first?

Retrieve tooth by picking it up from the part that is normally exposed in the mouth. DO NOT touch the "root" of the tooth.  Rinse off the tooth root. DO NOT scrub it or remove any attached tissue.

Teeth that have been knocked out have a good chance of being successfully reinserted if it's done within an hour or so of the trauma.  If the tooth is relatively clean, try to put it back in place. Make sure you insert it the right way, and never push or force it back into its socket. If this is not possible, then the next best thing is to preserve it in a small amount of milk or saliva or even hold it inside your mouth in your cheek.

If you are bleeding, apply a clean cloth to try to control it.

Ease the pain with over-the counter pain medication. Use a medication that you have used before and for which you don’t have any medical restrictions that prevent you from taking it.

Do NOT take aspirin as it may exacerbate the bleeding.

DO NOT put aspirin or any other pain medication against the gums or near the aching tooth. You might burn your gum tissue.

Applying a cold compress may help.

What do I do next?

See a dentist immediately. If you can't get to us in time, or it's after hours, please go to the hospital.

Don’t forget to bring the tooth and any tooth fragments with you.

Partially Dislodged Tooth

It’s a tooth that is almost knocked out – it’s still hanging on or loose!

What should I do first?

If you are bleeding, apply a clean cloth to try to control it. A cold compress applied to the area or pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen will also help relieve pain. Aspirin should be avoided as it may exacerbate the bleeding.

What do I do next?

See a dentist immediately. If you can't get to us in time, or it's after hours, please go to the hospital.

Lost Filling

What should I do first?

Ouch. It hurts when you breathe, doesn’t it? That’s the cool air irritating the exposed nerve.

We need to cover it up until you can come to the office so that it doesn’t hurt and food doesn’t go into the opening. Pharmacies sell temporary dental cement that will allow you to close off the area of the lost filling. Alternatively, some sugarless gum may also work – just make sure it’s sugarless or else it will hurt even more.

Remember: these are TEMPORARY solutions until you can see your dentist.

What do I do next?

Make an appointment as soon as possible.

Lost Crown or Bridge

What should I do first?

Retrieve the crown or bridge.

Gently try to remove any debris from within the crown and around the tooth. Rinse the inside of the crown or bridge to remove debris.

If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth or re-insert the bridge. Before doing so Coat the inner surface with temporary dental cement, denture adhesive, or petroleum jelly to help hold the crown in place until you get a chance to see your dentist. Use only a very small amount. NEVER use glue of any kind!

Make sure the crown is the right way around when you insert it!

Do NOT sleep with it in your mouth in this state: you might accidentally swallow it!

What do I do next?

Make an appointment as soon as possible and bring the crown with you.

Abscess.

Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, if you have a swelling or discharge in or around the mouth, it is important to see the dentist as soon as possible.

Broken Brace Wires.

If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue, or gum, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze until you can get to your orthodontist.

NEVER try cutting the wire.

If a wire is stuck in the gum cheek or tongue, DO NOT remove it. See your orthodontist or dentist immediately.

Soft Tissue Injuries (lips, tongue, etc).

You can clean injured skin surfaces with water and a soft clean cloth. To clean cuts inside the mouth, rinse with a salt water solution. If your lip is swollen or bruised, apply a cold compress. If there is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean cloth.

See your dentist or doctor immediately to have the affected area checked and treated according to severity of situation.

Objects Caught Between Teeth.

First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface.

Burnt Palate

Ah, we love pizza, too. But when we dig in as soon as it come out of the oven and that piping hot burns the sensitive roof of our mouth... ouch!

You can also burn your mouth with hot liquids like coffee or tea.

Most of the time, these burns are minor and will heal in a few days. It may blister, redden or feel raw or swollen.

You might experience discomfort during this time, especially when eating other hot foods or hard, crusty foods. Rinse with warm salt water after each meal to keep the affected area clean and avoid hard crusty foods during the healing period. Pharmacy bought Topical anaesthetics applied to the affected area can help to relieve discomfort especially during mealtime.

As it heals, you may notice white areas appear where the blistering or scalding occurred.

That’s okay.

These burns typically heal within a week.

If there is severe blistering, intense pain or if the soreness and blistering persist beyond seven days, call your dentist.