Dental Emergencies

In case of Emergency, what to do! Toothache: There are two types of toothaches; a dull continuous pain caused by a gum infection, or a severe throbbing pain caused by an infected tooth or an abscess, either way a severe pain should be looked after immediately. Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt to clean out any debris and floss gently to remove any food particles that might be trapped between the teeth. If your mouth becomes swollen, use cold compresses on the face. Anbesol or Orajel may help alleviate the pain temporarily when applied on the gums. Do not place any aspirin tablets on the tooth as the acidity can lead to a  gingival burn. Broken tooth: When the fracture occurs on one of the back teeth and it is painless, the gap can be temporarily filled with warm wax or sugarless gum . This prevents food from getting trapped there and covers any jagged edges until you can see a dentist. If a front tooth is broken and the piece is more than 1/3 the size of the tooth or it is extremely sensitive, you will need to seek immediate attention by the dentist. It may be useful to bring the broken piece of tooth as may be possible to  reattach it. Knocked out tooth: In the event that a permanent tooth becomes completely dislodged, rinse it off gently with water, do not attempt to rub. Do not attempt to re-implant a lost baby tooth. Transport the tooth in milk, saliva or contact lens saline solution. SEE YOUR DENTIST IMMEDIATELY, timing is critical for a successful re-implantation and most successful if done within half an hour Loose crown or Bridge: If you suspect a loose cap, it should be properly recemented as soon as possible, as it may collect food debris and cause the root stump to decay. If the loose cap or bridge comes off and it does not present any cosmetic problem, it is better not to replace it loosely, as it may be inadvertently aspirated, but instead keep the root stump clean by brushing and flossing properly. Swelling: Most often, a swelling is the result of an infection, and attention to this problem should not be delayed for more than a few hours. Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt (antibacterial mouth rinses such as Peridex or Listerine are helpful) and apply cold compresses on the outside of the face. Fractured jaw: If you think that your jaw may be broken, immobilize it by any means (use a handkerchief, tie or towel) and go to a hospital room immediately. Wisdom Teeth: Very often during the course of eruption, the gums around the wisdom teeth get infected. You can reduce the level of infection by rinsing with warm water and salt. It is recommended that you have them checked out anyway as recurrence is very likely and removal may be necessary. Bleeding after extraction: It is normal for blood to appear in saliva for the next few hours following surgery and will often subside on its own. If however profuse bleeding occurs, you can fold a sterile gauze, supplied by your dentist, and apply pressure to the wound by biting down on it. You may also use a wet tea bag, the tannin in the tea has a coagulating effect. Sensitive tooth: If it occurs suddenly, it may be an indication of a cracked tooth, especially after biting on something hard. Sensitivity can also be due to a number of things, ranging from tooth decay to aggressive tooth brushing. In any case it is best to have it investigated by your dentist. The above are meant only as a first aid treatment and not as a permanent solution. In all of these cases you should seek professional dental care as soon as possible. We will attempt to accommodate you immediately for any emergency during or after office hours.