What to do in a Dental Emergency

When a dental emergency happens, you don't want to wait. you want to get it fixed as soon as possible. Whether your tooth got knocked out or broken, or you're suffering from severe toothaches, help can't come fast enough. 

So, what do you do if face a dental emergency?

We've got quick steps to ease pain and ensure healing with three of the biggest dental emergencies.

What do I do if I break a tooth?

The first thing to do with a broken tooth is to rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then, apply a cold compress to the affected cheek to reduce swelling. To deal with the pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like ibuprofen. 

After you've done what you can at home, call your dentist. 

Depending on how bad the break is, your dentist may be able to repair the tooth with a filling or crown. But if the break is more severe, you may need a root canal or extraction.

What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

If your tooth gets knocked out, it's important to work fast. First, pick up the tooth by the crown (the part that is visible in your mouth) and rinse it off gently with water. When you do this, try to avoid touching the root of the tooth. This can damage the cells needed for re-implantation. If possible, it's best to reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place with gentle pressure. If you can't, try putting it in a container of milk or saliva so you can bring it with you to the dentist. 

Then, of course, call your dentist and tell them it's an emergency. The sooner you can see your dentist, the better chance there is of saving the tooth.

What do I do if I have a toothache?

If you have a severe toothache, you can treat it much like a broken tooth. First, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then apply a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling. Feel free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to manage the pain. 

Toothaches can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. We don't recommend waiting to call a dentist in either case. But, if you have severe pain, it's even more important to call immediately. 

A severe toothache can be a sign of a serious dental issue like an infection or a broken tooth.

What to do if you can't reach your dentist

If your dentist isn't picking up, you can search for emergency dentists in your area. They'll have numbers you can call around the clock to get immediate help.