Dental emergencies can be frightening and painful. Prompt treatment is essential to alleviate pain and preserve teeth. Trauma, grinding, or biting hard objects can fracture teeth, while crowns, fillings, and other restorations can become loose or fall out. Immediate care can prevent further complications and protect your overall health.

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Types of Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Avulsed Tooth (Tooth Knocked Out)

If a tooth is completely knocked out, rapid action is critical. Tissues, nerves, and blood vessels are damaged, but reimplantation within an hour may allow the tooth to reattach.

  • Call our office immediately.
  • Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse gently with warm water. Do not touch the root.
  • If possible, place the tooth back in its socket; otherwise, tuck it into the cheek pouch.
  • If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, keep it in milk, saliva, or water to prevent drying out.
  • Get to our office quickly and safely.

Reattachment may require root canal therapy if the tooth’s inner structures are damaged.

Lost Filling or Crown

Fillings or crowns can come loose due to decay or trauma. The tooth may become sensitive to temperature and pressure. Prompt dental attention is important to prevent further damage.

  • Keep the crown in a cool, safe place for potential reinsertion.
  • Apply clove oil to alleviate pain.
  • Clean the crown and use dental cement if necessary.
  • Do not use household glue to reattach the crown.

Our office will check the crown, treat any decay, and reattach or fabricate a new crown as needed.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Teeth can fracture due to trauma, grinding, or biting hard objects. Pain may vary depending on the severity and location of the fracture.

  • Call our office immediately.
  • Rinse the mouth and tooth fragment with lukewarm water.
  • Apply gauze for bleeding and a cold compress to reduce swelling.
  • Use over-the-counter dental cement if unable to see a dentist immediately.
  • Take a topical pain reliever as needed.

Fractures extending into the root often require root canal therapy. Broken fragments may be temporarily reattached.

Dislodged or Loose Teeth

Teeth loosened by trauma or decay may sometimes be saved. If blood vessels and nerves remain intact, root canal therapy might not be necessary.

  • Call our office immediately.
  • Use a cold compress and over-the-counter pain medication to manage discomfort.
  • The dentist will reposition and splint the tooth for stabilization.
  • If healing fails, root canal therapy may be required.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding dental emergencies, please contact our Imperial Dentistry office immediately.