DENTAL EMERGENCIES

Tooth Ache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse your mouth using warm salt water to remove any potentially trapped food or debris. DO NOT use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum. If your face is swollen, place a cold compress on the area. To relieve the pain temporarily we recommend tylenol and you should see a dentist as quickly as possible.

Cut or Bitten Cheek, Lip or Tongue 
Ice should be applied to the affected  areas. If there is bleeding, use a clean cloth or sterile gauze to apply pressure. With pressure being applied the bleeding should stop or significantly slow within 15 minutes.  If the bleeding doesnt stop a visit to the emergency room is indicated.

Broken Braces and Wires
If the broken appliance can come out easily, then by all means remove it.  Wax, cotton balls, gauze or sugarless gum can be used to cover any areas that may be lodged or not able to removed because of pain. Any wires that are lodged in the cheek, tongue or gum should not be removed and you should see a dentist immediately. If there is no discomfort from the loose or broken appliance, then usually no emergency treatment is needed. 

Broken Tooth
Use a warm salt water to rinse to remove any and all broken parts of the teeth from your mouth.  Place ice on your face over the area of the broken tooth.  Make sure try to recover all the pieces of the broken tooth if you are able to. Seek immediate dental attention.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Pick up the tooth that was knocked out and make sure you hold it by the tooth side and not the root side.  Rinse the tooth, but do not over rinse. If possible place the tooth back in the the socket and hold it in place with a clean cloth. If you can't get the tooth back into the socket,  bring it to a dentist as fast as possible, in a container of Hanks Balanced Salt Solution, milk or water.  If you have none of these around then place tooth back in the mouth so that the saliva can help preserve the tooth until you can get to a dentist. Time is very important so get to the dentist as fast as possible. 


Other Emergency Conditions:


Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out 
This is not abnormal.  Place gauze or clean cloth in mouth over the socket and compress for 15 minutes.  Bleeding should slow or stop, but if bleeding still persists, see a dentist.

Cold or Canker Sores
Temporary relief can be gotten from over the counter medications. If the sores last longer than 7-10 days visit your dentist.

Possible Broken Jaw
Go immediately to the emergency room.  Tie the jaw shut with a large cloth or handkerchief to help stablize it on the way to the emergency room.