Emergency Dental Care

If a tooth has been knocked completely out of your mouth, time is critical. When a tooth exits the mouth, the tissues, nerves, and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there’s a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

Immediate steps to take:

1. Call our office immediately – Every minute counts
2. Handle the tooth carefully – Pick it up by the crown (the white part) and rinse it gently under warm water. DO NOT touch the root or scrub the tooth
3. Try to reinsert the tooth – If possible, gently place it back into its socket. If you can’t, tuck it into your cheek pouch to keep it moist
4. Keep the tooth moist – If the tooth cannot be placed in your mouth, put it in a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It’s critical to keep the tooth from drying out
5. Get to our office quickly and safely – Time is of the essence

When you arrive, we’ll carefully examine the tooth and try to replace it in its natural socket. In many cases, the tooth will reattach successfully. However, if the inner mechanisms of the tooth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary to save it.

A crown or filling usually comes loose while eating. Once it’s out of your mouth, the affected tooth may become incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath has begun to decay, causing shape changes that prevent the crown from fitting properly.

If your crown has fallen out:

1. Make a dental appointment as soon as possible – Don’t wait, as teeth can shift or sustain further damage
2. Keep the crown safe – Store it in a cool, safe place. There’s a good chance we can reinsert it
3. Manage discomfort – Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain
4. Temporary solution – Clean the crown and temporarily affix it onto the tooth with dental cement (available at local pharmacies). If the crown is lost, apply dental cement to the top of the tooth to reduce discomfort
5. DO NOT use household glue – Never use super glue or other adhesives to reattach a crown

At GLEAM Dental, we’ll check whether your crown still fits properly. If it does, we’ll professionally reattach it. If decay is present, we’ll treat it and create a new crown to restore your tooth.

Your teeth are strong, but they’re still vulnerable to fractures, cracks, and breaks from trauma, grinding, or biting hard objects. Sometimes fractures are relatively painless, but if a crack extends down into the root, the pain can be severe. Regardless of the severity, a cracked or broken tooth requires professional attention as soon as possible.

If you’ve broken or cracked a tooth:

1. Call our office immediately
2. Rinse carefully – Rinse the tooth fragment (if you have it) and your mouth with lukewarm water
3. Control bleeding – Apply clean gauze to the area for about ten minutes if there’s bleeding
4. Reduce swelling – Place a cold, damp cloth on your cheek to minimize swelling and pain
5. Protect the tooth – If you can’t see us right away, cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement
6. Manage pain – Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed

The extent of the break or fracture will determine your treatment options. If a crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to save the tooth. In cases of a complete break, we may be able to reattach the fragment as a temporary or permanent solution.

When a tooth has been loosened or partially dislodged from its socket due to trauma or decay, it may still be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in your mouth and is still attached to blood vessels and nerves, there’s a good chance root canal therapy won’t be necessary.

What to do for a loose tooth:

1. Call our office immediately – Quick action improves the chances of saving the tooth
2. Manage pain and swelling – Use a cold compress and over-the-counter pain medication
3. Avoid touching the tooth – Don’t wiggle or put pressure on the loose tooth
4. Eat soft foods – Avoid chewing on the affected side

When you come in, we’ll carefully reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it while it heals. If the tooth doesn’t heal properly on its own, root canal therapy may be required to save it.

Dental emergencies can take many forms. If you’re experiencing any of the following, contact us right away:

• Severe toothache or pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
• Abscess or infection with swelling, fever, or pus
• Soft tissue injuries to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue that won’t stop bleeding
• Objects stuck between teeth that you can’t remove with gentle flossing
• Jaw injury or suspected jaw fracture
• Bleeding that won’t stop after a dental procedure

While not all dental emergencies can be prevented, you can reduce your risk by:

• Wearing a mouthguard during sports and physical activities
• Avoiding hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies
• Never using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles
• Maintaining regular dental visits to catch and treat problems early
• Practicing good oral hygiene to prevent decay and gum disease
• Addressing teeth grinding with a custom night guard if needed