Dental Emergencies
- August 9, 2023
- devteam
- General Information
Knocked-out tooth
Baby tooth
- If a tooth is completely out, do not try to put it back in the tooth socket.
- Call the office. It is best to be seen within the first thirty minutes.
- Place the tooth in milk and bring the tooth and any tooth pieces with you.
Adult tooth
Unlike a baby tooth that is knocked out, an adult tooth should be put back in its socket if possible.
- Hold the tooth by the top and not the root.
- If it looks dirty, rinse the tooth lightly with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached bits of tissue.
- Try to gently insert the tooth into its socket and then hold it there with a clean washcloth or gauze. If this isn’t possible, try these other options in this order:
- See if you can hold the tooth under the tongue or between the cheek and gums.
- If you are unable to do this, place the tooth in a container with milk.
- If milk is not available, put the tooth in a diluted solution of ¼ teaspoon of salt to 4 ounces of water.
- Call the office.
Broken or cracked tooth
- Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean.
- Wrap the broken portion of the tooth in wet gauze or a wet towel.
- Place an ice pack or a washcloth with ice on the face to reduce swelling.
- Call the office and bring the broken tooth with you to your visit.
Bitten cheek, tongue, or lip
- Clean the area gently.
- Place an ice pack or a washcloth with ice over the area to keep swelling down. Place a teabag (non-herbal) in the area to clot the blood (if there is any bleeding).
- If there is a lot of bleeding, and if it does not stop after 1 hour, call the office, or your physician, or go to an urgent care center.
Object caught between teeth
- Do not remove object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
- Gently try to remove the object with dental floss.
- If floss does not work, call the office.
Toothache and/or swollen face
- Swelling of the face can be a sign of serious infection.
- If your face is swollen, call the office.
Possible broken jaw
- Apply a cold compress to control swelling.
- Call the office or go to an urgent care center right away.
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