Dental Emergency? Here’s What To Do  

Are you prepared for a dental emergency? Emergencies often strike when least expected, and dental emergencies are no exception to this rule. To protect your smile, it’s key to understand how to soothe pain and handle the situation properly, so this post will teach you how to handle the most common dental emergencies.  

Assess The Situation  

 It’s natural to be nervous  while experiencing a dental emergency, but it’s critical that you remain calm and assess the situation. Understanding the problem at hand empowers you to choose the right solution. 

Before taking action, you need to evaluate whether the situation is a dental emergency. What is a dental emergency? Any dental situation requiring immediate attention is a dental emergency. Most dental emergencies are not life-threatening and do not require a trip to the emergency room. In most dental emergencies, visiting the emergency room is a waste of time, because the majority of hospitals do not have regular dental staff on call. The best they can do is give you painkillers or antibiotics, meaning you will still need to visit a dentist. 

Exceptions

Three exceptions to this are uncontrollable bleeding, dislocated facial bones, or impaired breathing, which are all life-threatening situations. If you experience a life-threatening dental emergency, go to the emergency room or call 911. Some situations are not emergencies, meaning that while you should still visit a dentist as soon as possible, it’s safe to wait until you can secure a regular appointment.

Examples of situations that are not dental emergencies include broken braces, dull toothache, small cuts in your mouth, or minor chips in your teeth. Real dental emergencies need to be seen by a dentist immediately, and include situations such as knocked-out teeth, severe toothache, chipped or cracked teeth, damaged or lost fillings or dentures, severe swelling or bleeding, tooth infection, or dental abscesses.  

After assessing the situation, the first thing you should do is call your dentist. Visiting your dentist is the only way to know the root of the problem and the extent of the damage, and it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Depending on when your dental emergency occurs, your dentist’s office may be closed. You should call anyway, however, regardless of office hours, because most dentists have an automated voicemail message which will tell you what options you have. You may be able to schedule an emergency dental appointment, call the dentist’s personal cell phone, or be instructed on how to take care of the situation until your appointment. Your dentist may also provide tips on relieving your symptoms until your appointment or prescribe over-the-counter painkillers.  

After you have called your dentist, take action to resolve the dental emergency and prevent further injury. Your options will vary depending on the nature and severity of the emergency, so here are the protocols for the most common dental emergencies. 

What do I do if I knocked out a tooth?  

Baby teeth 

If your child’s tooth gets knocked out, immediately check the gum for damage and bleeding, and apply gentle apply pressure to the area. Next, call your child’s dentist. A knocked-out baby tooth will not be replaced and therefore does not need to be saved for the dentist. Never try to force a baby tooth back into the gum; this can cause damage to the permanent tooth as it grows in. 

Permanent teeth 

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, the first thing you should do is attempt to replace it. Your dentist will have the best chance of saving your tooth if it is back in the socket in under an hour.  Hold the tooth by the crown (the part normally visible in the mouth), not the root of the tooth, and make sure it is clean. Dentists recommend rinsing the tooth in cold running water before reimplantation. Handle the tooth with caution, and if there are any attached tissue fragments, do not scrub them off!

If possible, slowly replace the tooth in its original position. If the tooth fits back in the socket, leave it there and bite down on gauze or clean cloth, and contact a dental professional as soon as possible. Remember, if it is not possible to easily reinsert the tooth, do not force it! This can cause major trauma to the dental tissue. Instead, find a clean container and put the tooth in saliva, milk, or an emergency tooth preservative containing cell growth medium (such as Save A Tooth®). Avoid drying out the tooth or placing e it in tap water. Do not allow any soap or chemicals to come into contact with the tooth, as this will damage the tooth and lessen the chances of successful reimplantation. See a dentist as soon as possible.  

What do I do if I cracked a tooth?  

Chipped teeth are the most common dental emergency, and in most instances are minor. 

First, check for any pieces of your tooth that may have broken off, and save it in milk, saliva, or tooth preservative. Afterward, rinse your mouth with warm water or a saline rinse. If your gums or tongue are bleeding, apply gauze to the area until the bleeding stops. To aid in pain relief and minimize any swelling, the American Dental Association recommends you apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the site of the injury. If the chip is minor and is not causing pain, then it’s okay to wait until you can get an appointment, but if it’s a significant injury then see a dentist as soon as possible. To protect your mouth and gums from the sharp edges of the tooth, you can cover the area with orthodontic wax (available at most pharmacies.) 

What do I do for a severe toothache?  

Not every toothache requires emergency care. Pain can usually be quickly alleviated, but all toothaches should be seriously examined because toothache is only the symptom of some other dental problem. Toothaches are caused by dental decay, invisible cracks, gum disease, or infected tooth tissue, all of which need professional dental care. While waiting for your appointment, however, there are steps you can take to make a terrible toothache more bearable. 

The first step in easing a bad toothache is to gently rinse your mouth with warm water, and floss thoroughly to make sure no food is stuck between your teeth causing pain. If possible, add hydrogen peroxide or salt to your mouth rinse, for optimal relief. Hydrogen peroxide can reduce gum inflammation and oral bacteria, and a 2016 study showed that using saltwater as an oral rinse can improve healing of sores or abscesses. If your mouth is swollen, you can apply a cold compress to relieve swelling.  

To relieve pain, you can use painkillers or natural remedies.  

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to soothe toothache, just be careful to never put any painkiller against your teeth or gums, as they can burn your gum tissue. Natural remedies such as clove oil are also extremely effective against toothache. Cloves contain eugenol, an active ingredient that acts as a natural numbing gel, which is why cloves have been used to treat dental pain for centuries. 

Keep your head elevated, even while asleep. Sleeping with your head propped up on a pillow lowers blood flow to your head, which can help improve pain and swelling. Avoid any excessively hot or cold drinks and foods, as they can exacerbate sensitivity, and be extra gentle when brushing and flossing teeth. 

What do I do for a dental abscess?  

Dental abscesses are serious infections that can damage your teeth and the surrounding tissue, and can be identified by the swelling they cause around the roots of teeth or in your gums. Look out for symptoms such as severe toothache, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, or a pimple-like bump on your gums.  As soon as possible, an abscess needs to be seen by your dentist, or the infection can spread to other parts of your body.  While waiting for your appointment, rinse your mouth with a saltwater rinse several times a day: this will ease pain and cause pus to drain from the abscess. Avoid crunchy or hard foods that could irritate the infected tissue, and take over-the counter medicine to dull any pain. Do not delay treatment; a dental abscess is a serious issue and needs to be treated immediately to prevent the infection from spreading further. 

What do I do if a filling falls out?  

Normal wear and tear can cause old dental work to become dislodged. If you were able to keep the displaced dental restoration, make sure to save it and bring it with you to your dental appointment. Your dentist may be able to easily replace it, and in the meantime you can use a temporary tooth filling. Temporary tooth fillings, or dental cement, are available at pharmacies and can be used as a repair kit to soften the harsh edge of a tooth which is missing its filling, to prevent the sharp edge it from cutting your tongue or lips. If possible, use the dental cement to put your filling back in its place, as this will protect your teeth from being damaged until your appointment. See your dentist as soon as possible, however, as these repair kits are temporary and not intended as a long-term solution.  

What do I do for a bleeding mouth?  

Any injury to your face can cause trauma to the soft tissue inside your mouth, and cause your gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips to bleed. Stay calm, because the mouth contains many blood vessels so the situation usually looks worse than it actually is. Most bleeding should stop naturally, but if severe bleeding continues, here’s what you need to do: 

First, rinse your mouth free of any tissue or remaining blood. Purified water will work well, but for best results use a mild saltwater or hydrogen peroxide rinse to disinfect the area. Next, for 15-20 minutes, hold a moistened strip of gauze to the bleeding area and apply mild pressure. If gauze is not available, a caffeinated tea bag may also be used. Tea contains tannic acid, which has been found to slow bleeding by temporarily shrinking blood vessels. After pressure has been applied, apply a cold compress to your cheek and hold for five to ten minutes. 

If you follow these three steps and the bleeding has not stopped or significantly improved, go to your dentist immediately. If the cut extends from your mouth to your face, is very deep, or has punctured through your cheek or lip, and will not stop bleeding, then visit the nearest emergency room. Most mouth injuries, however, are not severe and will heal on their own. To avoid infections, rinse the area regularly with saltwater or an antibacterial mouthwash to speed up healing. If you see signs of infection like increased swelling, pus, or experience fever, then make an appointment with your doctor. 

How To Prevent Dental Emergencies  

While it’s vital to know how to respond while experiencing a dental emergency, most dental emergencies are preventable. Here are some simple steps you can follow to make sure that you minimize the risk of dental emergencies.  

As far as possible, you should avoid including excessive amounts of sugary and acidic foods in your regular diet. Stay away from chewing popcorn kernels, ice, or hard candies, as these can damage your enamel and cause small cracks and chips in the surface of your teeth. 

If a bottle top or package refuses to open, do not use your teeth to open it! Using your teeth improperly can cause problematic chipping of the enamel protecting your teeth. Habits like chewing ice or objects such as pens and pencils can really damage your teeth. Biting your nails is another common habit that can create dental emergencies. Never use your teeth to open soda cans or bottles, or tear open any kind of package, as the rough edges can catch the base of a tooth and rip a tooth out of its gum. 

Grinding your teeth is another behavior that can result in chipped teeth. Those who grind their teeth mindlessly when stressed or while asleep are constantly grinding down the enamel barrier that’s supposed to protect their teeth from damage. If you are aware that you grind your teeth, schedule an appointment to talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard custom-fitted to your mouth to prevent absent-minded tooth grinding. If you or your child often participates in high-impact sports such as football or basketball, wear a mouthguard to prevent injuries caused by intense impacts. 

Conclusion

The best way to prevent emergencies is to stick to a dental routine. Issues like chips and cracks in teeth, dental abscesses, and toothaches can be avoided by following a routine that keeps your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Brush your teeth, remember to floss, and most importantly, schedule regular visits to your dentist so issues can be identified before they potentially become serious. 

Successfully navigating a dental emergency calls for prior preparation and prompt action. When emergency strikes, being able to make quick and informed decisions can be the deciding factor in saving your smile.