Emergency Dental Care: What You Need to Know

Persistent, intense pain could indicate an infection or nerve issue requiring immediate treatment.

What to Do:

• Floss gently to check for trapped food particles.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Avoid placing crushed aspirin on the area as it may harm the gums.
• Schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist if the pain continues.

Possible Treatment: The dentist may recommend a filling, crown, or root canal, depending on the underlying cause.

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by an infection and can lead to serious health issues if left untreated.

What to Do:

• Do NOT attempt to pop the abscess.
• Rinse with warm salt water to reduce discomfort.
• Call your dentist immediately to have the abscess professionally drained.

Possible Management: Your dentist may recommend procedures such as scaling and root planing, a root canal, or extraction depending on the severity of the infection.

What to Do:

• Avoid touching or wiggling the tooth.
• Gently bite down to keep it in place if necessary.
• Call your dentist as soon as possible.

Possible Treatment: The dentist may stabilize the tooth and determine the underlying cause, which could include gum disease or trauma

A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency. Quick action increases the chances of successful reattachment.

What to Do:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the roots.
• Rinse it gently without scrubbing.
• Attempt to place the tooth back in its socket if possible.
• If reinsertion isn’t possible, store the tooth in milk or saliva.

Critical Tip: Seek emergency care within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

While minor chips may not be urgent, severe fractures often need immediate attention to prevent infection.’

What to Do:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and pain.
• Call your emergency dentist immediately.

Important Note: Avoid placing crushed aspirin directly on the area, as the contact with it can cause tissue damage.

Bleeding, swelling, or cuts inside the mouth.

Quick Care:

• Gently rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution or clean water to clear debris.
• Apply firm but gentle pressure using sterile gauze or a clean cloth for 10–15 minutes to stop bleeding.
• Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the outside of your cheek or lip.
• Avoid sharp or crunchy foods that might irritate the injury.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Seek immediate care if:

• Bleeding continues despite applying pressure for 15 minutes.
• The injury is deep or has jagged edges.
• There are signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus, or fever).
• The injury makes it difficult to eat, speak, or move your jaw.