What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a real difference, especially when a tooth has been knocked out. Here’s what to do while you get in touch with us.

First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies

The steps below are general first aid to protect your teeth until you can be seen. They don’t replace care from a dentist, so call us as soon as you can.

A Knocked-Out Adult Tooth

A knocked-out permanent tooth is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. The sooner it’s back in its socket, the better the chance of saving it, ideally within 30 to 60 minutes.

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part you chew with). Don’t touch the root.
2. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly, for a few seconds, with milk or cool water. Don’t scrub it, dry it, or wrap it in a tissue or cloth.
3. If you can, gently push the tooth back into its socket, facing the right way, and hold it in place by biting softly on a clean cloth or gauze.
4. If you can’t put it back, keep it moist: place it in a small container of milk or of the person’s own saliva, or hold it inside the cheek if the person is old enough not to swallow it. Don’t keep it in plain water.
5. Call us and get to a dentist as quickly as possible, bringing the tooth with you.

A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in, because that can harm the permanent tooth developing underneath. Call us for advice.

A Chipped or Broken Tooth

Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. If you find the broken piece, keep it in a small container of milk or water and bring it with you. If there’s bleeding, press gauze on the area. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help with swelling. Call us to be seen, since even a small chip can leave a sharp edge or expose the inner layers of the tooth.

A Severe Toothache

Rinse with warm water and gently floss around the tooth to remove any food that may be caught. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek may help. Don’t put aspirin or any other pain reliever directly on the gum or tooth, because it can burn the tissue. If you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow the package directions or ask a pharmacist which one is right for you. A toothache that doesn’t go away is a sign that something needs attention, so call us.

An Abscess or Swelling

An abscess is a pocket of infection, usually at the root of a tooth or in the gum. It can cause a painful swollen area, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste in your mouth, or a fever. An abscess needs treatment from a dentist, so call us promptly. Rinsing gently with mild salt water may ease discomfort in the meantime. Don’t try to pop or drain it yourself. If swelling spreads to your face, eye or neck, or makes it hard to breathe or swallow, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

A Lost Filling or Crown

If a crown comes off, keep it somewhere safe and bring it with you. Never glue it back on with household glue. Temporary dental cement or filling material sold at pharmacies can help protect the tooth for a short time; follow the package directions. A lost filling can be covered the same way. Avoid chewing on that side, and call us to schedule a visit.

Broken Braces Wires or Aligner Problems

If a wire breaks or pokes your cheek, try gently pushing it into a better position with the eraser end of a pencil. If that doesn’t work, cover the end with orthodontic wax or a small piece of cotton, and don’t try to cut the wire yourself. Cover a loose bracket with wax if it rubs. If a clear aligner cracks, gets lost or stops fitting, call the office treating you before switching to a different set of aligners.

Cuts to the Lips, Tongue or Cheeks

Rinse your mouth gently with water, then press a clean, damp cloth or gauze on the bleeding area for several minutes. A cold compress on the outside can reduce swelling. If bleeding doesn’t stop with firm pressure, or the cut is deep or large, get emergency medical care right away.

Something Stuck Between Your Teeth

Gently try to remove it with dental floss, guiding it carefully so you don’t cut your gums. Never use a sharp or pointed object, such as a pin or knife, to pry it out. If you can’t get it out, call us.

Be Prepared

Save our number, (425) 867-1484, in your phone so it’s easy to find in a hurry. Wearing a mouthguard for sports and avoiding chewing ice, hard candy and unpopped popcorn kernels can help prevent many dental emergencies.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis; call us at (425) 867-1484 for advice about your situation.