A dental emergency is any injury or sudden onset of acute pain in the teeth, gums, or supporting oral structures that requires immediate clinical intervention to prevent bleeding, alleviate suffering, or prevent permanent loss of a tooth. These situations include a wide variety of dental emergencies such as knocked-out teeth, severe infection (abscesses), and trauma to the facial bones or soft tissues, as per the established clinical protocols. This guide offers tips on what to do if you have a dental emergency.
Identifying and Classifying a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency requires immediate attention, and you should make a quick decision about whether you need emergency assistance or if you can wait until your regular dentist can see you. Knowing what happened to your tooth is key to making a quick decision that could save the tooth or prevent a potentially life-threatening infection from spreading.
Signs That Need Immediate Emergency Intervention
Certain symptoms should be treated as “red alerts” and should be responded to immediately. These problems can sometimes lead to permanent tooth loss or a systemic infection that may affect your bloodstream or even your brain.
- A tooth that is completely knocked out of its socket and will not be replaced.
- Bleeding gums or a mouth that won’t stop bleeding and is heavy.
- Severe facial or gum swelling that makes it difficult for you to breathe or swallow.
- A small, raised area of the gums (abscess) with a fever.
- Sudden injury to the jaw or facial bones leading to an abnormal bite.
- Severe pain that interferes with sleep, eating, and daily activities.
Non-Urgent Dental Issues That Can Wait for an Appointment
Numerous dental issues can cause irritation or discomfort, but at the moment, they do not pose an immediate threat to the viability of your teeth. In such instances, you can reach your dentist during business hours, and they can come to you within a day or two.
- A tiny chip or crack in the enamel that doesn’t hurt or cause sensitivity.
- If the filling is missing or the crown is loose, but the tooth is not sensitive or throbbing.
- A minor soft-tissue injury, such as a small cut on the tongue or a minor canker sore.
- A non-severe toothache that can be treated with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.
- A broken wire or loose bracket on braces that is not causing a lot of bleeding.
Protocol for Knocked-Out or Dislodged Teeth
One of the most urgent dental emergencies you can encounter is a knocked-out tooth. The outcome of your response in the first 60 minutes will decide if you can replant the tooth or if you will need a permanent replacement, such as a dental implant or a bridge.
Handling and Transporting an Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth
When a tooth is knocked out, it must be treated as a living organ. The delicate periodontal ligament cells at the root of your tooth are crucial for reattachment, and you don’t want to lose them. These cells are very sensitive to drying out and improper handling. The following steps will increase the likelihood that your tooth will survive:
- Find the tooth and pick it up only by the top (the crown).
- Do not touch the roof, as oils and bacteria from fingers can destroy reattachment cells.
- If the tooth is soiled, rinse it for 10 seconds in cold, clean water or saline.
- Never scrub the tooth or use soap, as it will kill the living tissue.
- Try gently pushing the tooth back into its socket, then bite down on clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If it cannot be reinserted, put the tooth in a small container of milk or saline solution.
- Don’t put the tooth in plain tap water; the nutrient-free, pH imbalance will cause the root cells to burst and die.
Managing Partially Dislodged (Extruded) Teeth
A tooth that is partially dislodged from its socket is loose and will be very painful. This injury means that the blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth have been stretched or torn. Do not attempt to pull the tooth out or push it back in with strong pressure. Rather, you can gently push it back with light pressure and gently bite on a piece of cloth to hold it in place. These injuries can cause nerve death, so an immediate evaluation is needed to determine if you need a splint or endodontic treatment.
Treating Severe Pain And Mouth Infections
When the pain in the mouth is severe, the decay or bacteria have likely spread to the inner pulp of the tooth, which contains the nerves. They need urgent assistance to relieve the pain and prevent a potentially serious infection from spreading into your jawbone or soft tissues, which could result in extensive facial swelling.
Identifying and Managing a Potentially Dangerous Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a serious infection that creates a pocket of pus between the tooth and gum or at the root of a tooth. The pain might be constant and feel like a throbbing sensation that radiates towards the ear or jaw line. This infection can be serious because it can spread to other parts of the body and, if left untreated, cause sepsis. If you see a swollen, red bump on your gum, you can rinse with warm salt water several times a day to draw the pus to the surface. Do not attempt to drain the abscess, as this may push the bacteria deeper into the jaw and worsen the infection.
First Aid for Intense and Persistent Toothaches
Deep cavities or untreated cracked teeth are common causes of toothaches. If the pain is sudden and prevents you from sleeping at night, it means the nerve is under a lot of pressure. Here are some steps you can take to help manage the pain as you get ready to visit your dentist:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to remove debris and calm inflamed gums.
- Floss between the sore tooth and its adjacent teeth to dislodge any food that is stuck and causing pressure.
- Place an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your cheek to decrease swelling and numb the area.
- Take non-prescription medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation.
- Don’t put aspirin on your gums, as the chemicals in the tablet will burn your soft tissue.
Addressing Structural Damage and Restorative Failure
When a tooth breaks or a previous filling fails, the tooth’s soft inner parts are exposed to the outside world. Addressing these problems early will prevent bacteria from entering the tooth and reduce the risk of needing a complex, costly root canal treatment.
Management of Broken or Fractured Teeth
A broken tooth can impact the appearance of your smile and can make it difficult to eat. The urgency of the situation will depend on the depth of the break and if the nerve is exposed. Three main types of fractures should be classified:
- Fractured Cusp: This fracture occurs around a filling and typically does not cause pain, but makes chewing difficult. Any broken parts should be saved and taken to your dentist in a clean container.
- Split Tooth: A crack that extends below the gum line, causing bleeding and throbbing pain. Rinse with warm water and do not chew on that side of your mouth until you have professional help.
- Vertical Cracks: These extend from the top of the tooth to the root and are usually extremely painful when releasing the bite. X-rays are necessary to determine if the crack has extended into the dental pulp.
What to Do When a Filling or Crown Falls Out
If a crown or filling is lost, the exposed tooth may be quite sensitive to hot or cold, as well as to pressure. The crown should be located, cleaned gently, and preserved. Temporary dental cement is available at a local pharmacy. It can be used as a temporary solution to keep the crown in place until you can have it professionally re-cemented to the tooth. This helps to prevent the adjacent teeth from moving into the space and protects the exposed tooth. If you lose a filling, you can put a piece of sugarless gum in the hole to block out bacteria and bacteria-producing food until you can come into our office for a permanent filling.
Soft Tissue Injuries And Miscellaneous Emergencies
Your mouth contains many blood vessels in the soft tissues (cheeks, tongue, and lips), which may bleed profusely if injured. The most important thing you can do to stop the bleeding and prevent infection in your mouth is to use the proper first-aid measures until you can get a professional check at our California office.
Managing Lacerations, Biting Injuries, and Oral Burns
Sometimes, it’s terrifying to bite your tongue or lip by accident due to the amount of blood. Stay calm, and apply firm pressure with a clean piece of gauze for about 10 minutes. If this doesn’t stop the bleeding, you may require stitches to ensure the wound heals properly. If hot coffee or steam has caused an oral burn, rinse with cool water right away and for several minutes to prevent the burn from occurring in deeper tissues. Spicy and acidic foods should be avoided during the healing process, as they can irritate the area and delay gum healing.
- Press the bleeding area with a sterile cloth and apply constant pressure.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to minimize swelling.
- Rinse the wound with a saltwater solution to keep it clean.
- Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as they may be painful and irritating to the wound.
Handling Stuck Objects and Orthodontic Breakage
When food or a sharp object, such as a toothpick fragment, becomes trapped between teeth, significant irritation and pressure result. The best tool is waxed dental floss, which helps the object pass through tight spaces without getting caught. Never use sharp objects such as needles or knives to try to force the object out, as this can damage your enamel or cut your gums. If you have orthodontic issues, such as a wire poking your cheek, place a small ball of orthodontic wax over the sharp end. The eraser end of a clean pencil can be used to push the wax away from your cheek if it won’t stay in place.
Seeking Professional Care and Prevention
Home first aid is crucial, but only a dentist can provide the proper care needed to repair the injury and ensure a fully stable bite. Using modern equipment and experienced staff can provide you with the care you need to keep your smile intact and prevent future accidents.
If you are in pain, you need a team that can quickly locate the source of the problem using the best technology. Same-day appointments are available for emergencies, so you can avoid spending a night in agony. Digital X-rays are used in our office to detect fractures and infections below the gum line. California laws, such as the Business and Professions Code, require dentists to provide their patients with a high level of care.
Preventive Measures
The easiest way to deal with a dental emergency is to prevent it from happening. If you take the right precautions in your everyday life, many injuries can be avoided. These are some of the habits that can help to protect your teeth:
- If you play contact sports or engage in high-impact activities, wear a custom-made mouthguard.
- Having regular check-ups and cleanings every six months helps prevent cavities from becoming a toothache.
- Not using teeth to open plastic packages, bottles, or nuts.
- Reducing stress helps prevent jaw clenching and teeth grinding, which causes the enamel to crack over time.
- Use a night guard if you notice your teeth wearing down while you sleep.
Locate a Trusted Dentist Near Me
A dental emergency can be a frightening and upsetting event. Still, your composure and adherence to dental first-aid procedures will make all the difference in the world in your recovery. When it comes to a knocked-out tooth, a painful abscess, or even a broken restoration, time is your most valuable asset. The only way to avoid minor decay from developing into systemic infection is to treat it early or to lose the natural tooth. Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry is available to treat patients in the area immediately, using the latest technology and trauma-trained expertise to relieve your pain and stabilize your condition. If you have suffered an oral injury, please make an appointment or visit an emergency room immediately. We have extensive experience in all aspects of restorative and emergency dentistry, and we are here to fight for your oral health. Call us today at 818-878-7300 to speak with a dentist about your dental emergency.
