The Dental Studio’s Guide to Handling Common Dental Emergencies

A dislodged or broken permanent tooth, throbbing jaw pain, or gum inflammation are all common dental emergencies. The Dental Studio, with two convenient locations in Summit and Westfield, New Jersey, offers same-day appointments for these and other problems that can’t wait.

There are also steps you can take immediately following your dental dilemma to help mitigate pain and best ensure optimum treatment outcomes. The expert team at The Dental Studio offer the following guide to handling common dental emergencies before you reach our office.

Knocked out tooth

When a permanent tooth is knocked out, it often can be replanted into your gum. Here are three steps to take that increase the change your dislodged tooth can be saved:

1. Keep the tooth moist

Keep the tooth moist by rinsing it under tepid water and positioning it back into its socket. Doing so can damage the root or surrounding tissues. Another option: Hold the tooth between your gums and cheeks. You can also place the tooth in milk.

2. Hands off the root

Never handle the tooth by the tooth root. Only touch the crown.

3. Time is of the essence

The sooner you reach our offices the better. In most cases, we can save your tooth if you reach our office in 30 minutes. After an hour, your tooth may still survive, but the likelihood that it will decrease after that.

Chipped or broken tooth

A severe crack in which a large piece of tooth is gone, the inner pulp is exposed, or it’s painful and bleeding, requires immediate professional attention. However, a mildly chipped tooth is not necessarily an emergency that needs to be addressed the same day. It does though require timely attention. The opening created by the chip can allow bacteria to get inside the tooth. If you chip or break a tooth rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area and prevent the growth of bacteria. Avoid using the affected tooth, and don’t drink or eat items of extreme temperatures until your dentist has examined it.

If you’re bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a gauze. For swelling, apply an ice pack on your cheek over the affected tooth. Pain and inflammation can also be treated with ibuprofen.

If your broken tooth has a sharp or pointed edge, cover it with temporary dental filling, dental wax, or sugar-free gum.

Toothache

First, clean the area by gently flossing and rinsing your mouth with warm water. You can use an over-the-counter pain reliever to lessen your discomfort, but never place aspirin on your tooth or gums. If you have swelling, red gums, pain, or a fever, call us immediately. Those are all signs of a possible infection.

Lost crown or filling

Just as you handle a toothache, the self-care strategy for a lost crown or filling is to rinse your mouth and take ibuprofen for the pain. You can also use temporary filling material and over-the-counter dental cement to temporarily secure the dislodged crown.

Infection or abscess

Although infections and abscesses do not require same-day treatment, treatment should not be delayed long. If you’re experiencing pain, it’s an indication that the infection has spread to the gum and needs prompt attention. A dental infection or abscess will not heal on its own.

Before your dental appointment, use floss to remove any irritating food particles between the affected teeth, avoid foods and beverages that are hot, cold, sugary, or acidic, and gargle with salt water.

For all of your dental emergencies, call The Dental Studio. Your oral health is our top priority.