How to handle Dental Emergencies
A toothache, a chipped tooth, pain from a dental crown, or a tooth falling out could be serious dental problems; knowing how to handle these issues can help prevent further damage or tooth loss.
Dental problems have a knack for showing up at the worst possible moment, right before a big meeting, in the middle of the night, or halfway through your holiday. Unlike a mild headache, dental pain or injury often does not just “go away” with a bit of rest. Sometimes, acting quickly can be the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. The good news is that knowing what to do immediately can make a big difference in saving a tooth, reducing pain, and preventing further damage until you can get professional help.
At Mint Dental Centre, we are available for emergencies and committed to providing fast and friendly care when you need it most. Besides a toothache and other dental problems, we can also help provide care to fix a chipped tooth, dental crown pain, a tooth filling that fell out, broken tooth repair, and a tooth abscess. These may not be dental emergencies, but should be cared for as soon as possible.
What are Some Causes of Dental Emergencies?
Dental emergencies can happen due to dental injuries caused by riding bikes, car accidents, work-related accidents, playing sports, and even rough play in and around your home. Other causes include drinking from glass bottles or eating something very hard that breaks or cracks a tooth, or chipping a tooth. An infection, if left untreated, can also cause a tooth abscess that requires immediate treatment.
What are Some Common Dental Emergencies?
Any dental problem that requires immediate attention is a dental emergency. But not all dental problems are emergencies. Severe toothache, an injury in which a tooth or teeth have been knocked out, and a tooth abscess are a few examples of possible dental emergencies. You need dental emergency care if bleeding that won’t stop is caused by injury, cuts, broken or missing teeth, or dental pain that does not get better with medication. But before you can see the dentist, here is how you can manage each of these dental emergencies.
Severe Toothache
Cavities, infection, or cracked teeth can cause a sudden or severe toothache.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Use dental floss to remove lodged food between teeth, which sometimes also causes a severe toothache.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if it is swollen.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if required.
- Never put aspirin directly on your gums or teeth; it causes burns.
See your dentist as soon as possible.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
A chipped tooth may not hurt, but if it’s cracked deeply, you could have exposed nerves.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Rinse and save any broken pieces of your tooth if possible.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or lip near your broken/chipped tooth to reduce pain and swelling.
- Apply a piece of gauze to the area if there is bleeding for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
See your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage and restore your tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Losing a tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), and avoid touching the root.
- Rinse it with water if it is dirty; do not scrub or remove tissue fragments.
- Try to place the tooth back in its socket if you can, or store it in a container of milk or saliva.
See your dentist immediately, ideally within 30-60 minutes, for the best chance of reattachment.
Lost Filling or Crown
Sometimes old dental restorations, such as fillings or crowns, fall out.
- Keep it safe and avoid chewing on that side.
- Put your restoration (crown or filling) back in place; sometimes it can be reattached.
- You can temporarily seal the gap with over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or sugar-free gum.
- Don’t use super glue.
See your dentist as soon as possible to have your dental restoration replaced or repaired.
Dental Abscess
It is a serious condition that can damage gum tissue and surrounding teeth. An abscess is a pus pocket caused by infection that happens at the root of a tooth or in the space between teeth and gums. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gums. Left untreated, the infection could cause swelling of the jaw or face, or spread to other parts of the body.
- Rinse your mouth gently with a mild saltwater solution (Mix half a teaspoon of common salt in 8 ounces of water) many times a day.
- Do not try to pop the abscess.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
Seek emergency dental care immediately, don’t wait. The infections can spread and lead to more severe health problems.
Broken Braces or Wires
A broken wire can poke the inside of your cheek, or your gums can cause pain in your mouth. It can cause cuts that bleed and lead to painful sores.
- Use a mirror in good lighting to see what’s going on.
- Use orthodontic wax or sugar-free chewing gum to cover the sharp end.
- If the wire is sticking out and cannot be repositioned, cut it with clean nail clippers (only if absolutely necessary).
See your dentist as soon as possible to get it fixed.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Cuts to the lips, gums, cheeks, or tongue can bleed heavily due to the rich blood supply in the mouth. Soft tissue injuries caused by a fall or blows to the face, accidentally biting yourself while chewing, sports injuries without a mouthguard, and sharp edges from broken teeth. Braces can also cause small cuts if a wire breaks or a bracket rubs too much.
- Rinse gently with warm saltwater.
- Apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling.
Rush to the emergency room if bleeding does not stop after 10–15 minutes. Apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until your dentist can see you.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies?
An emergency can happen anytime, but you can reduce the risk of a dental emergency with a few habits, such as:
- Avoid chewing hard items like pens, ice, or hard candies.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports.
- Never use your teeth to open bottles or packaging.
- Brush and floss twice a day.
When in Doubt, Call Your Dentist!
Immediately contact your dentist if you are unsure about how to handle a dental emergency. At Mint Dental Centre, our expert and highly skilled team will help you with any dental emergency. Quick action can save your smile and prevent further damage.
Feel free to contact us if a dental emergency strikes. We help you smile confidently, no matter what!