How to Handle a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can happen when we least expect it and even at the most inconvenient times in our lives.  If you have never experienced a dental emergency before, you may not know what to do in the event that one occurs.  Thankfully, dentists are able to treat most of these issues and offer appropriate advice.  The success of treatment may be improved if you are able to follow some specific steps upon discovery of your problem.

Here are some examples of dental emergencies and steps to take before seeing the dentist:

How to Handle the emergency:

1. Broken/Cracked tooth

   1.   Teeth do fracture even though they are strong and can withstand heavy forces.  Broken or cracked teeth can be painless, sensitive or extremely painful depending on the type of fracture.  They can be caused by prolonged grinding of teeth, trauma or biting on a hard object.  Here are some steps to manage a broken tooth at home before visiting a dentist:
      • Call the dental office  (519.258.2191)
      • Use water to rinse the piece of tooth that has separated
      • If there is bleeding, use gauze to apply pressure to the area
      • Use an icepack or cold & damp cloth on the outside of the cheek to reduce pain & swelling
      • There are topical pain relievers & OTC (over-the-counter) dental cements able of reducing immediate pain & sensitivity on the affected tooth.

2. Loose tooth

   1.   Loose teeth are not necessarily hopeless teeth.  If a tooth is loose from its socket by trauma, there is a chance that it can be retained without a root canal if it remains attached to its blood and nerve supply.   Here are some steps to manage a loose tooth at home before contacting your dentist:
      • Call your dentist
      • Apply cold compress & OTC medications for pain relief
      • Dentist may reposition & splint the tooth
      • If the tooth does not heal it may require root canal therapy 

3. Lost Filling or Cap (Crown)

   1.  Crowns and fillings can come loose and separate from your teeth while eating.  The tooth may become sensitive to cold/heat or pressure when this happens.  A lost filling or crown could indicate changes to the natural tooth shape from tooth decay.  Here are some steps to manage a lost filling or crown:
      • Call your dentist
      • Place the crown in a safe place, such as a zip lock bag, and bring it to the appointment as the dentist may be able to recement the crown.  If there is tooth decay present, a new crown may be needed
      • AVOID attempting to reinsert the crown with glue yourself

4. Abscess, Swelling

   1.   Swelling related to a dental abscess is a serious emergency and can be painful due to pressure buildup from a tooth or gum infection.  Often an abscess may need to be drained or treated promptly with antibiotics.  
      • Call your dentist
      • Seek dental care immediately for a diagnosis and advice
      • If the swelling is affecting the airway, making it more difficult to breathe, seek emergency hospital care immediately.

5. Tooth knocked out (Avulsion)

   1. Visit your dentist immediately if a tooth is knocked out of your mouth completely.  Bring the tooth and any fragments with you.  There is a limited amount of time (generally one hour) for successful re-implantation of the tooth and for the tissues to grow to support the tooth again.  Here are some steps to manage an avulsed tooth:
      • Call your dentist; arrange transportation to the dental office
      • Do NOT touch the root of the tooth; Only touch the crown when handling the tooth
      • Rinse the tooth in warm water and place it back in the tooth socket if possible
      • If the tooth cannot be reinserted properly into the mouth, put the tooth in a cup of milk, or save-a-tooth solution, saliva or water (last resort).   
      • Get to the dental office with the tooth

6. Extreme Sensitivity to Cold/Chewing

   1.   Sensitive teeth can make eating and drinking more difficult than it has to be.  Sensitivity can be caused by a number of issues.  If you have a high degree of pain that lingers in one or multiple teeth for a few seconds following contact with cold or hot food/beverages, you should see a dentist to determine the cause of the problem.  Furthermore, if a tooth is sensitive or painful to chew with seek dental care to resolve the issue.   Sensitive or painful teeth that go untreated for a long period of time may become more costly to treat in the future.