Whether you knocked out a tooth or you have a toothache, you want to get help right away. While we encourage you to see us as soon as possible to help you get out of pain, it’s helpful to know what to do when a dental emergency happens. We’re sharing a few common dental emergencies and how you can handle them if they happen.
- You’ve knocked out a tooth.
If an adult has knocked out their tooth, first, recover the tooth and put it in a glass of milk or saliva. If possible, rinse it off and place it back in the spot where the tooth should be. Apply gauze to the area if there is any bleeding. Then call our office immediately and we’ll try to see you that same day.
If your child has knocked out a baby tooth, first check for any signs of pain. Have them bite down on a washcloth, damp with cold water to any bleeding. Don’t try to put their tooth back in their mouth. We won’t replace the baby tooth but just visit us as soon as possible so we can examine your child’s mouth.
- You have a toothache.
Dealing with a toothache is no fun! If you have one where the pain has lasted you more than a day or two, or you are in severe pain (no matter how long it’s been), visit us right away. In the meantime, gently floss around the area where your tooth hurts. Then rinse out your mouth with warm saltwater.
You may also want to visit the local drugstore and get a topical anesthetic that you can put around the painful area.
- You’ve chipped or cracked a tooth.
In most cases, a chipped or cracked tooth isn’t an emergency situation. You’ll still want to visit us for treatment to restore and repair your tooth, though. However, if you are dealing with a severely cracked tooth, first recover any pieces of your tooth and place them in a glass of milk or saliva. Press any gauze to the area if you are bleeding. Then you’ll want to visit us as soon as possible so we can restore your tooth.
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
One of the best ways to handle a dental emergency is to avoid them completely! While that isn’t always possible, we recommend taking necessary steps to protect your oral health, such as:
- Visit us every six months for a regular checkup. We love to handle problems when they are small before they become big issues!
- Wear a mouthguard. If you grind your teeth, it’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your smile from further damage.
- Don’t use your teeth like scissors. If you need to open a package, go the extra mile and grab a pair of real scissors. Otherwise, you risk damaging your teeth!
- Don’t ignore pain. If you have experienced dental pain in some way, don’t ignore it! Otherwise, a problem in its early stages can quickly advance into a major issue if left untreated.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and floss at least once. It keeps bacteria and plaque at bay and keeps your mouth healthy.
Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Or maybe you need to schedule a checkup? Visit us in Naperville, IL, by calling Murmann Dental Health today at 630-864-6065.