Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. Using warm salt water, rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between teeth. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you use aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums. For temporary relief, ibuprofen is the drug of choice for dental pain. Schedule a dental evaluation as soon as possible. In the event of facial swelling see a dentist immediately. Do not apply ice to swellings that are a result of infection. Our doctor's phone numbers are always available on our answering machine for after-hours emergencies.
Ice can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, go to an emergency room.
Remove a broken appliance only if it comes out easily. If it is lodged or painful to remove, cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. DO NOT REMOVE any wire caught in the gums, cheek or tongue; see a dentist immediately. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort.
If the broken tooth is caused by trauma, such as a bike accident or bumping the edge of a concrete pool, treat the soft tissue wound by cleaning with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury to reduce swelling. Recover any broken tooth fragments as in some situations a broken front tooth can be bonded back into place. Call one of our doctors for immediate attention.
If a tooth breaks from the stress of existing fillings and overuse, it is usually not an emergency that needs immediate attention. This commonly happens to back teeth. There is generally little discomfort except for an irritated tongue or cheek from a jagged tooth surface. If there is no discomfort, an appointment can be scheduled at your earliest convenience to temporize the tooth until definitive treatment can be completed. You can always call our doctors to determine if immediate care is necessary.
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. Reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk or water. Because time is critical, see a dentist immediately. Our doctor's phone numbers are always available on our answering machine for after-hours emergencies.
Other Emergency Conditions
In the event of jaw injury, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief. Go immediately to an emergency room.
Fold a piece of gauze and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes; if bleeding continues, see a dentist.
Cold and canker sores are caused by viral infections. They usually are self-limiting, so taking over-the-counter pain medications will provide temporary relief as they run their course. Today there are many over-the-counter aids that can be applied directly to the sores. If the infection is severe or persistent, set up an appointment so that we can assess for a prescription drug.