A dental emergency can occur suddenly and cause extreme pain and can leave you panicking. Whether you’ve suffered an impact during a sport, bitten into something or have an infection that has got out of hand, knowing what to do in the first few minutes of a dental emergency will help you to save your natural tooth.

By having an action plan you will remain calm, provide effective first aid, relieve pain and get ready for an emergency dentist.

1. Remain Calm

To help you make quick decisions during an emergency take a deep breath and assess the situation.

  • Check for Serious Injury: If you have sustained a serious injury to your face, have uncontrollable bleeding or swelling which is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow then visit your nearest urgent treatment center.
  • Urgent? Decide if you need immediate attention or if it’s a high priority. If you have a knocked-out permanent tooth, abscess or severe pain then you should seek immediate attention. However, if you have suffered a small chip or loose crown then it can be dealt with during normal surgery hours.
  • Call your emergency dentist: Call your local emergency dental practice. By explaining the situation they will be able to give you specific first aid over the phone.

2. Knocked-out Permanent Tooth

If you have knocked-out an adult tooth this is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. The sooner you can attend to it the higher the chances of saving it. Try to do this within 30-60 minutes.

  • Hold by the Crown Only: As soon as you can find the tooth hold it by the white crown only. Do NOT touch, rub or scrape the roots as you will damage the living cells in the periodontal ligaments.
  • Rinse Gently: If the tooth is dirty gently rinse under a small bowl of fresh milk or cold water for just a few seconds. Do NOT use soap or chemicals and do not wrap it in dry tissue paper.
  • Try to Re-Implant: If possible gently try to push the tooth back into its original place. Bite gently onto a clean piece of gauze or wet tea bag to hold it in place.
  • Place in Liquid: If you cannot re-implant the tooth then place it in a small container of fresh cold milk or special cell preserving liquid. Alternatively you can place it in your mouth between your cheek and gums.

3. Severe Unbearable Toothache

If you’re experiencing a sudden toothache this is likely to be due to a heavily inflamed nerve, severe decay or developing abscess.

  • Rinse with Warm Salt Water: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt to 8oz of warm water). This removes any lodged food, reduces bacteria and soothes any irritation.
  • Gently Floss: Gently floss between the teeth. This helps to see if the pain is due to a sharp piece of food stuck between your teeth. Do NOT stick anything sharp into your gums.
  • Cold Compress: Apply an ice pack or cold compress wrapped in a towel to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes. This helps to numb any sharp pain and reduce inflammation.
  • Take Painkillers: Take over the counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. Do NOT apply aspirin directly to your gums as it will cause severe chemical burns.

4. Dental Abscess or Pus Coming From Gums

A dental abscess is a serious infection caused by bacteria. It can form at the tip of the root or deep in the gums. If left untreated it can spread to surrounding areas and into the bloodstream.

  • Look for Signs: Look for a swollen bump (sinus tract) on your gums. This may oozed a nasty tasting liquid. You may also have swollen cheeks, bad breath and a temperature.
  • Rinse Often: Rinse your mouth with warm salt water often. This helps to draw out any infection and soothe your inflamed gums.
  • Do NOT Squeeze: Do NOT try to squeeze or burst any bumps on your gums or face. This will cause the bacteria to travel further into your face.
  • Go to an emergency dentist: An emergency dentist will be able to surgically drain the infection, prescribe antibiotics and clear the infection with a root canal or extraction.

5. Cracked/Broken/Fractured Teeth

Trauma to your teeth can cause a natural tooth to crack. This can expose the dentin or living pulp.

  • Rinse Mouth: Immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. If a large piece has broken off find it and keep it in a damp container. Your dentist may be able to glue it back into place.
  • Cover Sharp Areas: If there is a sharp jagged edge covering your tongue or cheek then cover it with temporary dental wax, clean gauze or sugar free chewing gum.
  • Apply Ice Pack: Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek to reduce any swelling. Avoid eating hot, cold or sugary foods.

6. Injuries and Uncontrollable Bleeding

If you have cut, pierced or torn your tongue, lips, cheeks or soft palate you need to stop the bleeding quickly.

  • Apply Pressure: Apply a clean piece of gauze, cloth or damp tea bag to the bleeding area. Apply firm pressure and hold for 15-20 minutes.
  • Apply Ice: Wrap an ice cube in some gauze and apply to the inside of your mouth. Alternatively apply an ice pack to the outside of the area. This will constrict the blood vessels.
  • Visit dentist: If after 20 minutes the bleeding hasn’t slowed down then go to your nearest dentist. They will be able to suture the area.

7. Lost Fillings/Crowns

Losing a filling or crown is rarely an emergency in the middle of the night. However, taking the correct precautions will prevent the tooth from breaking down.

  • Find Crown: If your crown has come off find it and gently clean the inside. Take it with you to your appointment. Often if the crown is undamaged your dentist can clean it and re-cement it.
  • Temporary Cement: If your tooth is sensitive apply a small amount of over the counter temporary cement, toothpaste or denture glue to the inside of the crown. Then slide it back onto your tooth.
  • Cover Cavity: If you have lost a filling place a small piece of temporary filling material or soft dental wax into the hole.
  • Avoid Eating: Avoid eating on the affected side until your dentist can permanently restore your tooth.

Quick Checklist for Dental Emergencies

  • Assess the injury and decide if you need to visit  your emergency dentist.
  • Call your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Let them know what’s happened and ask for first aid advice.
  • Hold any knocked out permanent tooth by the crown and keep it moist in fresh milk or saliva.
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
  • Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek.
  • Apply firm pressure with clean gauze or damp tea bag to stop any bleeding from soft tissues. Hold for 15-20 minutes.
  • Take anti-inflammatory medication. Avoid putting aspirin directly onto your gums.
  • Cover any sharp broken teeth with temporary dental wax or sugar free gum.

FAQs

What counts as an emergency?

An emergency is when you need immediate attention. This could be to stop severe pain, uncontrollable bleeding, infection or to save your tooth. Examples of this include knocked out adult teeth, severe abscesses with swelling, loose/displaced teeth and severe tearing of soft tissues.

Can knocked out teeth grow back?

Knocked out teeth will not grow back however an emergency dentist can re-implant it. If it is re-implanted within 30-60 minutes and kept moist in milk the periodontal ligaments will attach back to the jaw naturally.

What if I don’t have dental insurance?

Many emergency practices will have flexible payment systems, interest free payments through third party companies such as CareCredit or will charge you a sliding scale fee. Don’t put off attending as severe infections or bleeding can cause expensive problems with your general health.

Is swelling in the face during a toothache dangerous?

Yes! Swelling in your face means that the infection is spreading. If it spreads into the surrounding areas of your neck or jaw it can cause compression of your airway or into your bloodstream. Go to your emergency dentist .

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency will help reduce pain, prevent long term issues and greatly increase your chances of saving your natural teeth. By remaining calm, keeping knocked out teeth safe, controlling any bleeding or pain with first aid and contacting your emergency dentist you will feel confident dealing with any unexpected dental emergencies. Always keep your emergency dentist details saved on your phone.