When it comes to dental emergencies, not all of us pass through life unscathed. Whether it is a chipped tooth during sports, a knocked-out tooth, or a toothache that keeps you awake at night, emergency dental treatment is always available.

If you or a loved one is ever so unfortunate as to experience a dental emergency, you will need to manage the situation until you can reach the dentist.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If ever a situation called for emergency dental care, a knocked-out tooth is it. Although the situation is serious, such a tooth can usually be saved if the event is handled correctly.

• Grasp the tooth only by the top chewing surface. Do not touch its root.
• Gently rinse it to make sure that it is clean. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue. If you are rinsing it in a sink, first place a washcloth or towel in the sink to keep the tooth from going down the drain.
• If possible, carefully insert the tooth within its socket. Gently hold it into place while biting down.
• If you cannot place the knocked-out tooth into its socket, put it in a small container or container of milk.
• Immediately call your dentist because time is of the essence in saving the tooth.

Severe Toothache

A toothache is normally an indication that tooth decay is affecting the nerves of a tooth, leading to pain. If the pain is unbearable, you should definitely contact your dentist to obtain prompt pain relief and to provide proper treatment for the tooth so that the underlying cause is addressed.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are one of those situations that could be a true dental emergency, or something else. If you have experienced trauma to your mouth just prior to your gums bleeding, you should seek out emergency dental care.

On the other hand, if your gums tend to bleed when you are too aggressive with your cleaning efforts, this would not represent a true emergency. You just need to be more gentle when brushing and flossing.

If your gums normally bleed when you are regularly brushing and flossing, this could be an indication of periodontal disease. Contact your dentist to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Loose Tooth

Having a loose tooth is definitely a red flag. If you have one that has become loose or out of alignment, contact your dentist right away for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, you can also use very light pressure to attempt to replace the tooth into its original position. Do not use force. You can gently bite down on the tooth to prevent it from moving. Your dentist may splint such a tooth to a neighboring tooth to stabilize it.

The Bottom Line

Handled properly, most dental emergencies can be resolved. Teeth can be saved. Contact our dental office if you have any dental concerns. New patients are welcome.