In Case of Emergency

Patients are always encouraged to contact our office immediately if they have a dental emergency, but because knowing what to do in an emergency may make the difference between keeping and losing a tooth, the following is provided for your information.

Tooth knocked out: If you or a child has a tooth knocked out, first try to stick it back in place and hold it there while you go immediately to the dentist. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in milk (or water) and bring it and the patient to the dentist immediately.
Fractured tooth: If possible, place soft wax into the area of the fractured tooth. Eat soft foods and avoid hot and cold foods and drinks. Call your dentist.
Fractured jaw: If you jaw hurts when you move it or you can’t close your mouth normally, go to the hospital emergency room. Hospital staff will advise you whether you also need to see your dentist.
Bitten tongue or lip: Use ice or pressure to control swelling or bleeding. Contact your dentist if the swelling does not subside within 24 hours, if the pain persists or if the laceration is deep.
Bleeding after an extraction: You may experience slight bleeding after a tooth is extracted, but the blood usually will clot within an hour. If the bleeding continues for more than an hour, put gauze on the site and apply pressure. If the bleeding still does not stop, soak a tea bag in water, place it inside a thin gauze pad, put it on the extraction site and apply pressure for one hour.
Mouth sores: If you have a canker sore, use a medication like Orajel or campho-phenique that is available at your local drugstore. We also recommend rinsing with Periogard twice a day. Periogard is available in our office or at your local pharmacy.
Toothache: Toothache is a common emergency and is often a sign of infection. Aspirin or other pain relievers like Tylenol may help. You also can put Oil of Cloves on a small piece of cotton and place it on the tooth.