How to Deal With Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen at any time – maybe a tooth gets knocked out during your kid’s soccer game, or you bite down on a sticky piece of candy and very quickly realize your filling has come out. You should see your dentist as soon as possible if you need help dealing with an emergency problem with your teeth, but until you can get there, here are a few tips for dealing with an emergency. 

A damaged tooth

If you have a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, it may not seem as serious as, say, a tooth that has been knocked out completely. However, bacteria can easily get into a damaged tooth, and you should see your dentist as soon as possible so that it can be fixed before an infection sets in. 

Save the pieces of the tooth, if you can, and gently rinse them off. Rinse out the mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress on the outside of the mouth to help with pain and swelling. 

A tooth that has been knocked out

If this happens to you, carefully pick up the tooth by the crown (the top) so as not to damage the roots. Rinse the tooth with water to remove debris, but don’t rub it. Rinse your mouth out with warm water, and, if possible, place the tooth back into the socket to try to preserve it. A tea bag, gauze, or a cotton ball can help to keep it in place. 

If you can’t get it back into the socket, try to keep the tooth moist. Put it in a cup of milk or even in a cup with some of your own saliva in it. 

A lost filling

Fillings don’t last forever. If you have lost a filling, remove the filling from your mouth so that you don’t swallow it. Rinse your mouth gently with salt water, and avoid eating hard or sticky foods that can become stuck in your tooth. 

Whether you have a dental emergency or you need expert care to help you prevent an emergency, you can count on  Hampton Dental Associates in Milwaukee for help. Call (414) 464-9021 today!