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Common Dental Office Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be serious and should not be ignored. Pain or injuries to the mouth or teeth are a signal that something is wrong and that treatment is needed. Most dentists reserve time to see patients with dental emergencies. Failure to obtain treatment of common dental emergencies can increase the risk of permanent dental problems or lead to the need for more extensive treatment.

  1. Pain or Swelling

    • Severe tooth pain is one of the most common dental emergencies. Pain accompanied by swelling or fever may signify an infection. Other types of pain that are considered a dental office emergency are jaw pain and pain while chewing. Infection may also be signified by pus draining from the infected area.

      To treat a toothache until you are able to be seen by a dentist, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Use dental floss to remove food or any other debris that may be stuck between teeth. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress against the outside of your mouth or cheek.

    Broken Tooth or Knocked Out Tooth

    • Teeth that are chipped, broken or knocked out are common dental emergencies. If you have a broken tooth, you should save any pieces. Apply gauze to the area to stop bleeding. If there is swelling, use a cold compress to keep swelling down and relieve pain. If a tooth is completely knocked out, save it and rinse it under water without removing any attached tissue. Try to put it back in place. If you are unable to put it back in place, put the tooth in a small amount of milk or water containing salt. Get to the dentist as soon as possible. According to MedicineNet, a tooth returned to the socket by a dentist within one hour has the best chance of being saved.

    Other Dental Emergencies

    • Lost fillings, lost crowns, partially dislodged teeth and broken braces wires are all examples of dental problems considered emergencies. Trauma to the mouth area may require dental attention, such as a broken jaw or soft tissue damage to gums, tongue, cheeks and lips. Cold compresses can temporarily help reduce swelling for this type of injury. For all dental emergencies, the sooner you obtain dental attention, the greater the chances that your teeth can be saved.

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