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Examples of Dental Emergencies:
What can I do if…
1. My tooth is knocked out!
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires urgent attention. If the appropriate
emergency steps are followed immediately after the tooth has been knocked out, there is a
good chance the tooth can be reinserted and preserved by a dentist. 1. Pick
up the tooth by the top (crown) of the tooth. Do not touch the root(s) of the tooth.
2. Rinse the tooth off very gently to ensure that it’s clean. Do not
scrub the tooth or remove any tissue attached to it. Be sure to place a towel or washcloth
in the sink so that the tooth does not go down the drain.
Call your dentist immediately, since getting to the dentist quickly with your tooth —
in addition to following the steps above — is critical for saving the knocked-out tooth.
The longer you wait to re-implant the tooth in its socket, the less chance you have of the
tooth “taking” and remaining viable.
2. I have a loose tooth, or a tooth out of alignment?
If you have a tooth that is loose or out of alignment, you should call your dentist for an
emergency appointment right away. In the meantime, you can try to put the tooth back in its
original position using your finger with very light pressure. Do not force it. You can bite
down to keep the tooth from moving. Your dentist may want to splint the tooth to the
adjacent teeth (the teeth on each side) to keep it stabilized.
3. I have chipped, cracked or fractured teeth?
If a tooth is chipped and doesn’t hurt, this usually does not constitute a dental
emergency and you can wait a few days to see a dentist. However, it is important to be careful
while chewing so as not to chip the tooth even more. Your dentist may be able to smooth the
chip out or add some composite filling material to repair the tooth.
A cracked or fractured tooth is a serious issue constituting a dental emergency. Fractured
or cracked teeth usually suggest that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth as
well as to the outside. Severe fractures are so extreme that the tooth cannot be saved. If
you suffer a fractured tooth, call your dentist immediately for an emergency
appointment.
4. I am experiencing tissue injury or facial pain?
Any type of injury inside the mouth, such as a puncture wound, laceration or tear to the
lips, cheeks, mouth and tongue, is considered a tissue injury and a dental emergency. If
you experience any type of tissue injury, it is important to clean the area immediately
with warm water. If the bleeding is coming from the tongue, gently pull the tongue forward
and place pressure on the wound using gauze. You should get to an oral surgeon or nearby
hospital emergency room as quickly as possible.
To alleviate any type of facial pain associated with tissue injury, you can take
acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label. Never take aspirin or ibuprofen for
a dental emergency because they are anticoagulants, which can cause excessive
bleeding.
Other Dental Emergencies
Basically, any dental problem that requires immediate treatment in order to save a tooth,
stop ongoing tissue bleeding or alleviate severe pain is considered a dental
emergency.
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