What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Broken Tooth or Filling

Rinse your mouth with slighly warmed water and clean gently with your toothbrush.  A wad of softened candle wax or of sugarless chewing gum will temporarily protect the area until you can schedule an emergency dental appointment.

Tooth Knocked Out

Gently rinse the root of the tooth with water, if dirty.  Do not handle the root portion of the tooth and do not scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments.  If possible, immediately replace the tooth in its socket.  If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place it quickly in a cup of milk or saline (half teaspoon of salt in and 8oz glass of water).  Do not let the tooth dry out. Immediate dental care (within 30 minutes, if possible) is necessary if the tooth is to be reimplanted. 

Tongue or Lip Bite

Clean and apply ice or cold compress to minimize swelling.  Continuous pressure with a clean piece of gauze should control any bleeding.  Aspirin increases bleeding and is to be avoided.  If injury is significant or if swelling is increasing, see dentist or hospital emergency room. 

Object Caught Between Teeth

Attempt removal with dental floss and vigorous rinsing.  If unsucessful, or if gum swells, call for an emergency dental appointment.
 

Possible Broken Jaw

If you even think you may have broken your jaw, apply ice or cold compresses and go immediately to the hospital emergency room. 

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