What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Knocked-Out Tooth

1. Find the tooth and handle it by the crown (top), never the root.
2. Gently rinse it with water if dirty, but do not scrub or remove any tissue.
3. Check that it is a permanent (adult) tooth before anything else. Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in the socket, since that can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath and a young child could swallow or inhale it. Call us instead.
4. If it is a permanent tooth, place it back in the socket and hold it there by biting on a clean cloth.
5. If you can't reinsert it, keep it moist in milk or saline. An adult can also hold it inside the cheek, but never do this with a child, who could swallow or inhale it. Have a child spit into a clean container instead and keep the tooth in that saliva.
6. Get to our office within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Severe Toothache or Swelling

• Rinse with warm salt water to help calm the area and clear debris.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. Do not place aspirin on the gum.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Avoid very hot or very cold foods and drinks.
• Call us right away, since pain and swelling often signal an infection.

Broken or Cracked Tooth

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces of the tooth.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to limit swelling.
• If there is a sharp edge, cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum to protect your lip and tongue.
• Stick to soft foods and chew on the other side until we see you.

Lost Filling or Crown

• Keep the crown if you have it and bring it to your visit.
• A dab of dental cement or sugarless gum can temporarily protect the exposed tooth.
• Avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean.
• Call us to have the tooth restored before it is damaged further.

Bitten Lip, Cheek, or Tongue

• Clean the area gently with water.
• Apply firm but gentle pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding.
• Use a cold compress to ease swelling.
• If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, call us or seek medical care.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

• Try gently working it loose with dental floss.
• Never use a pin, needle, or other sharp object, which can cut your gums or scratch the tooth.
• If you can't remove it, leave it alone and call us for help.