Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be avoided by taking some simple precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard during sporting activities and staying away from hard food such as candy that may crack teeth. Accidents do happen however, and it is important to know what actions to take. Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out, forced out of position and loosened or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks can be cut. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible. Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. At Drakeshire Dental we guarantee you will be seen as soon as possible. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, if you are experiencing pain. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency.

What to do when a tooth is knocked out?
Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root part of the tooth can damage cells necessary for bone re-attachment. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub. Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out. If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, or if the affected person is a small child that may swallow the tooth or choke because of it, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk, the persons saliva or saline solution.

What do I do if the tooth is pushed out of position?
Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth. Bite down to keep the tooth from moving. The dentist may splint the tooth in place using the neighboring teeth.

What about when the tooth is fractured?
Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist or simply left alone. Restorative procedures like bonding may also be used to fix the tooth. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, tissue and/or pulp (The pulp is the central part of the tooth and composed of nerve tissue and blood vessels). If the pulp is not permanently damaged but considerable damage to tooth structure occurred, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If permanent pulp damage does occur, further dental treatment will be required. Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with a slim chance of recovery. In that case removing the tooth may be the only solution. Your dentist will discuss with you replacement options, including implants and bridges.

What should I do when the tissue of my mouth is injured?
Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with warm water, and the injured person taken to a hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.

Can I somehow prepare for dental emergencies?
Yes, by packing an emergency dental care kit including:

  • Dentist phone number
  • Saline solution
  • Handkerchief
  • Gauze
  • Small container with lid
  • Ibuprofen