What to Do When a Dental Emergency Occurs?

Dental emergencies almost always come as a shock, and most of us wouldn’t know how to handle them. Quick thinking and reaching the dentist on time can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. Here are some common emergency dental conditions and how best to handle them:

Broken tooth: A broken tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies and undoubtedly one of the most painful ones as well. A broken tooth could be the result of a bad fall, sports-related injuries, a hard blow sustained by the mouth, or even biting into something too hard. If the blood vessels in and around the tooth are disturbed or ruptured, it could result in severe bleeding and increase the risk of infection. Hence, we recommend gargling the mouth with clean water after the incident to remove the microbes and broken tooth fragments. You may use a piece of gauze to apply pressure on the wound and reduce swelling. Just as you rush to the dentist, place a cold pack or a damp washcloth on the cheek to reduce pain and swelling.

Avulsed or uprooted tooth: A severe blow to the mouth could completely uproot a tooth, leading to immense pain and bleeding. Control the bleeding using a clean piece of gauze and use an ice-pack to reduce swelling. Acting swift is crucial in this situation, as the dentist may be able to place the tooth back in the socket if you reach the practice on time. Rinse the knocked off tooth with clean water holding only the crown, and place it in a glass of milk while bringing it along.

Injured soft tissues: Leaving a bruise or cut on the lip or other soft tissues of the mouth untreated can result in severe infection. Hence, we recommend getting immediate dental attention so that the wound can be treated effectively. Until the time you reach the dental practice, place a piece of gauze on the wound so that a clot forms and reduces bleeding.

Please keep your dentist’s phone number handy so that you can dial them whenever there’s a dental emergency.

Please reach us at 205-991-9535 during a dental emergency, and we’ll assist you at the earliest.