Dental emergencies are often frightening and painful. Prompt treatment is usually required to alleviate pain and ensure the best chance for tooth survival. Teeth can become fractured due to trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. Fillings, crowns, and other restorative devices can also be damaged or fall out. If you experience severe pain, contact our office immediately. Dental pain typically worsens without treatment, and unresolved dental issues can seriously jeopardize overall health.

Types of Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Avulsed Tooth (Tooth Knocked Out): If a tooth is knocked out, it’s crucial to see a dentist immediately. The tissues, nerves, and blood vessels can be damaged when a tooth exits the mouth. If the tooth is placed back in its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will support the tooth again.

Steps to take:

• Call our office.

• Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. Avoid touching the root.

• If possible, place it back into its socket. If not, tuck it into the cheek pouch.

• If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put it in a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort to keep it from drying out.

• Get to our office quickly and safely.

We will attempt to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.

Lost Filling or Crown: A crown or filling usually comes loose while eating. Once out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be highly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns often become loose due to decay, which alters the tooth’s shape, causing the crown to no longer fit.

Steps to take:

• Make a dental appointment as soon as possible.

• Keep the crown in a cool, safe place; it might be possible to reinsert it.

• If immediate dental care is unavailable:

• Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.

• Clean the crown and affix it to the tooth with dental cement from a pharmacy.

• If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.

• Do not use any kind of glue.

We will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached. If decay is present, it will be treated, and a new crown will be made.

Cracked or Broken Teeth: Teeth are strong but can still fracture, crack, or break. Sometimes these fractures are painless, but if a crack extends to the root, the pain can be severe. Fractures and cracks are generally caused by trauma, grinding, or biting. If you have a fractured or cracked tooth, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Steps to take:

• Call our office.

• Rinse the tooth fragment and mouth with lukewarm water.

• Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.

• Place a cold, damp dish towel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.

• Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.

• Use a topical pain reliever.

The treatment will depend on the nature of the break or fracture. If it extends into the root, root canal therapy may be necessary. In the case of a complete break, the dentist may affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.

Dislodged/Loose Teeth: If a tooth is dislodged or loosened by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth is still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, root canal therapy may not be necessary.

Steps to take:

• Call our office immediately to make an appointment.

• Use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain in the meantime.

Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth does not heal, root canal therapy may be required.