Emergency Dental Care

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Rinse the area of the broken tooth with warm water. Put a cold compress on the face to try to keep swelling down. Recover any broken tooth fragments. Seek immediate dental attention.

Tooth Ache

First, clean around the sore tooth carefully and completely. You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water to displace any food that may be trapped between teeth. If you can, use dental floss to remove any food still stuck in the mouth. If there is any swelling in the face, apply a cold compress. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen is recommended. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. See a dentist as soon as possible.

Cold or Canker Sores

There are many choices of over-the-counter medications that can provide temporary relief. Visit your local pharmacy to select a topical medication to address your issue.

Mouth pain, even when minor, can indicate an underlying problem that could worsen with time. It is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. With proper care, you can minimize damage to the teeth, gums, and supporting bone.

Temporary Crown Falls Out

If you still have your crown, dry the tooth and apply a temporary adhesive and reattach it. Please call and schedule an office visit as soon as possible.

Broken Braces and Wires

Broken wires are a common problem and can hurt your cheek, tongue, or gum. First, you should check if the wire is still attached to the bracket. If it is, just leave it in place. If the wire is sticking out, use a cotton swab to carefully press it back into position. Do not cut the wire. If there are any protruding edges, you can use orthodontic wax (available at most drugstores), cotton balls, or gauze to cover the sharp edges. If you have a loose bracket, you can put some orthodontic wax over the bracket to keep it from poking your cheek or gum until you can see the orthodontist. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort and you can often wait for your next scheduled visit. A quick call to your orthodontist can help you make the best decision.

Possible Broken Jaw

A broken jaw requires immediate emergency room attention. If you can, tie the mouth closed with a scarf, tie or towel and go to the nearest hospital ER.

Missing or Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Keep it moist at all times. Reinsert the tooth in the socket without touching the root and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place it between your cheek and gums, in milk or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Improvement. Then, see an emergency dentist immediately.

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

Ice the bruised area and apply firm pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth for any bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, go to the nearest Urgent Care or Hospital Emergency Room.

Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out

Fold a piece of gauze and place it tightly over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes; if bleeding continues, schedule an appointment with the dentist.