What to Do for a Dental Emergency

There are various dental situations that might require immediate attention. But sometimes it can be a challenge to identify the severity of the case, who to reach out to, and what measures you can take at home. Below, we’ve outlined some tips to help you navigate emergency dental situations.

What is a dental emergency?

In cases where there’s excessive bleeding, broken dentures, loose teeth, severe toothaches and mouth pain, infections, or a knocked-out or broken tooth, it’s imperative to seek immediate attention.

Some examples of urgent dental situations include:

• A loose or knocked-out tooth
• Profusely bleeding gums
• Injured jaw
• Broken crown, bridge, or dentures
• Missing filling
• Fever and chills after a dental injury

What can you do at home?

Depending on your dental emergency, there are some actions you can take at home to help manage the situation until you are able to see your dentist:

• If you’re dealing with a displaced tooth, put it in a glass of milk in the meantime. Keep in mind that time is critical! Get to your dentist ASAP.
• Toothache can sometimes be caused by food lodged in between your teeth or under the gums. Try flossing gently and rinsing with warm water mixed with salt to see if you can relieve the pain and swelling.
• Place a cold compression over swelling and take over-the-counter pain medication to help with any discomfort.

Who should you contact?

If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned cases, don’t wait. Reach out to your dentist immediately. If you don’t have one that is reachable immediately, you can contact any emergency dentist that’s readily available or seek care at the emergency room.

At the emergency room, physicians can provide medications to minimize the infection and pain. In cases that require restorative dental work (i.e. treating a broken crown or loose tooth), you’ll need treatment from a dentist later. So, be sure to call your dentist first thing when they’re available.

At Cactus Point Dental, while we hope that you never need emergency dental treatment, we have a dedicated team ready to respond should you need care, regardless of whether you’re an existing patient or not. Contact us today!

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Categorised in: Dental Emergency