What to Do if You Have a Dental Emergency

No one expects a dental emergency to happen, but when it does you need to be prepared. Just like you have an emergency plan in case of fire or other urgent matter, you also need to know what you plan to do in case you or someone in your family loses a tooth or suffers another dental injury. Here is what our team at Stonebrook Family Dental recommend you do in case of a dental emergency. 

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is more than a minor toothache. A dental emergency is typically distinguished by whether or not obvious and immediate action is needed to address severe pain, discomfort, or trauma to the mouth. This trauma may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums and dislodge or fracture teeth. In some instances, Colgate explains, lost fillings, chipped veneers, or broken dental appliances don’t constitute a dental emergency, although they are inconvenient. 

Common Dental Emergencies 

Not all dental pain is cause for an emergency trip to the dentist. Here is a list of common dental emergencies and the steps you should take to prevent further damage to your smile: 

Cracked or broken tooth:

If your tooth is broken, use warm water to rinse out your mouth and apply a cold compress for swelling. 

Knocked-out teeth:

When a tooth is knocked-out, don’t touch the root of the tooth, only the crown. Once you have the tooth, try and place it back in the socket if possible. If you are unable to do so, place it between your cheek and gum or in a container of milk. Apply a cold, wet compress for bleeding. 

Tooth or jaw pain:

This constitutes an emergency if the pain is accompanied by an infection. The signs of this would be: swelling, a fever, sour taste, or difficulty swallowing. Further, an abscessed tooth with pain coming from the tooth’s pulp cancels couples requiring antibiotics, drainage, or a root canal. 

Bleeding or aching gums:

Frequent and excessive bleeding and aching of the gums is often an indicator of gum disease which will require treatment to keep your gums, teeth, and bones healthy. 

Soft tissue injury:

If you have severe bites or cuts to your lip or tongue, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress for bleeding. See a medical professional for any lacerations that require stitches. 

If you are not sure if the pain you are experiencing is a dental emergency or not, we’re happy to talk with you about what you are currently feeling and what we believe would be best for you. 

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

The first step is learning what you should do in the event a dental emergency were to occur. Accidents happen when we least expect them, so making a point to learn what to do in an emergency can help save your smile. 

If you suffer a dental emergency during working hours, it is important to contact our office at Stonebrook Family Dental as quickly as possible. Here at our office, Dr. Kevin Varley reserves openings in his schedule each day to accommodate dental emergencies so you never have to wait in pain. 

If your emergency happens outside of normal business hours, get to your local emergency room as soon as possible. Call your dentist when they open next to get in quickly to see what repair needs to be done to save your tooth and smile. 

If your dental emergency happens when you are out of town, you can use this tool by the American Dental Association to locate a dentist near you that can help. 

How to Avoid Dental Emergencies

Unfortunately, accidents just happen. However, there are precautions you can take to try and prevent a dental emergency. The American Dental Association suggests:

• Wearing a mouthguard when participating in sports or in recreational activities.
• Going to bed with a night guard to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching. 
• Avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy which can crack or break teeth.
• Use scissors rather than your teeth to cut things open. 

Rely on Stonebrook Family Dental

Whether you have a dental emergency or just a minor pain that needs to be addressed, our team will work to get you an appointment as soon as possible. Save our number in your phone so you can always get a hold of us quickly: (303)-872-7907. We’re always here for you!