Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

By Your Health Magazine

Even if you maintain an ideal schedule of dental check-ups and cleanings, dental emergencies can still happen. Our teeth are strong enough to tear through food, but can still be very sensitive to all kinds of damage.

Dental emergencies can affect anyone, so it’s a good idea to be prepared ahead of time for how you will respond if something like this happens to you. When something happens to your teeth, a quick response can be the difference between saving your teeth and potentially losing lots of money to dental reconstruction down the road.

Here are some common dental emergencies that you’re likely to encounter and how to respond to them in a timely, effective way.

A Knocked-Out Tooth

Knocked-out teeth are some of the most common dental emergencies people face. Our permanent teeth are designed to stay in our gums, unlike baby teeth, which are supposed to fall out eventually. However, a strong blow to the face or falling on your face can knock a tooth out.

With a knocked-out tooth, the most important thing you need to remember is to go to an emergency dentist immediately. Professionals, like those at Arlington Advanced Dental Care can reattach your tooth and make it as good as new. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to reattach your own tooth and will have to get dentures or an implant.

Right after the accident, take steps to preserve your tooth so the dentist can reattach it. If you can, try to gently push it back into place. Don’t do this if the tooth is damaged or if pushing it in causes you pain.

To transport the tooth, put it in a clean container. Moisten the tooth with your saliva or milk to prevent the root from drying out. That way, the dentist will be able to reattach it for you.

A Chipped Tooth

Sometimes, your tooth won’t get knocked out outright by an accident or blow to the face. However, it can still get damaged or chipped. People also chip their teeth by biting down on hard objects or too-hard food.

If you can, try to save the piece of the tooth that chipped off, storing it in a container with your saliva. The dentist can try to reattach the chip. If you only notice that your tooth is chipped later, there are other ways to adjust the appearance of your smile, for example, with bonding and veneers.

Take good care of the area around the chipped tooth. Avoid stressing it further with hard, sticky foods until you can see a dentist, and try chewing with the other part of your mouth. Keep it clean with brushing and flossing. If you have to wait a while before your dentist appointment, protect the area with dental wax.

When you chip a tooth, go see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. This is particularly important if the chip is big, you’re experiencing discomfort while eating and drinking, or you have an exposed nerve.

A Broken Crown

A broken crown is another emergency dental scenario where you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. The crown needs to be replaced, or your dental treatment plan needs to be reorganized to prevent further damage to your teeth and keep your smile looking good.

Right after the break, try to save the pieces you find to make reattachment possible. If you can’t find the pieces, repairs are going to be more complicated.

While you wait for your dental appointment, treat your broken crown the way you would a chipped or broken tooth. Avoid chewing on that side of the mouth to prevent further damage to your crown. If you feel pain, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort and swelling.

A Chronic Toothache

Sometimes, toothaches are caused by food getting stuck between your teeth. This is simple enough to fix. First, rinse with water to try and dislodge any food remnants that could be causing pain. Carefully brush and floss around the affected area to see if you can clean it further.

Regular painkillers are effective at reducing pain and discomfort caused by a toothache. Take OTC ibuprofen or acetaminophen according to package instructions to manage your pain until the toothache goes away.

Although most toothaches go away on their own, if the pain continues for more than 2 days, you will need to see a dentist to treat the underlying causes, such as cavities and infections. You should also make a dentist appointment if you notice other symptoms, such as a fever or pus around the infected area.

Orthodontic Emergencies

Orthodontic devices such as braces and retainers are supposed to help improve your dental health by realigning your teeth. However, these devices can cause discomfort such as swelling, pain, and lacerations when parts get damaged.

If your orthodontic device is causing you pain, first identify the source. Some discomfort is normal with braces if you had an adjustment recently. However, if there are loose wires or parts poking out, the situation is more serious.

At home, use orthodontic wax to cover up the problematic area. Break off a small piece of the wax and shape it over the piece that is causing you discomfort. This will stop further damage and irritation to the soft tissue in your mouth.

To repair your orthodontic equipment and make sure your treatment isn’t disrupted, you should go to your regular orthodontist for an emergency appointment. If they’re not available on short notice, any emergency dentist can help you manage orthodontic injuries.

Being Prepared for Any Dental Emergency

Despite your best preparations, a dental emergency can happen to you and your family. It’s important to know how to respond to minimize discomfort and damage to your teeth.

Keep a kit at home that can help you manage common dental emergencies. This kit should include floss, dental wax, and OTC painkillers.

The most important part of your dental emergency kit is the phone number of a reliable emergency dentist. While you can handle most dental emergencies at home, for lasting relief, you will need professional assistance.