Emergencies

The DOs and DONTs of Dental Emergencies

Please select a topic from the list below.

• Broken Denture or Bridge
• Loose or Lost Crown
• Bleeding Gums
• Canker Sore
• Toothache, Broken Filling or Tooth
• Jaw Stiffness or Pain
• Wisdom Tooth Pain
• Chipped Baby Tooth
• Teething Pain

 

Broken Denture or Bridge

DO:

• Save all pieces.
• If possible, keep denture or bridge in your mouth.
• Call your dentist during office hours.

DON'T:

• Don't try to repair it yourself with 'super glue' or by other means. This can permanently ruin your denture or bridge.

 

Loose or Lost Crown

DO:

• Keep crown in safe place.
• Call the dentist during office hours
• Toothpaste or denture adhesive may be use to temporarily cement crown back on tooth if unable to see a dentist right away, and only if you are able to seat it properly on tooth.

DON'T:

• Eat hard, sticky or chewy foods in area of the crown.
• Don't attempt to cement crown back on with 'super glue' or anything other than toothpaste or denture adhesive.

 

Bleeding Gums

DO:

• Rinse your mouth four times a day with one-half teaspoon of salt in four ounces of warm water
• Brush and floss even if bleeding continues
• Call your dentist during office hours

DON'T:

• Don't prolong seeing your dentist. This may be a sign of gum disease, which is correctable at early stages.

 

Canker Sore

DO:

• Place a topical ointment such as 'Orabase' or 'Orajel' for temporary relief.
• If many sores present, rinse with a mixture of 1/2 benedryl elixer, 1/2 kaopectate.
• Call your dentist if the sore persists over 10 days.

DON'T:

• Never place aspirin directly on the sore.
• Don't expect complete healing for 7-10 days.

 

Toothache, Broken Filling or Tooth

DO:

• If painful, take acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (advil or motrin), or aspirin.
• If mild or no pain, call dentist during office hours.
• If pain is severe or swelling is apparent, call the dentist as soon as possible.

DON'T:

• Don't eat hard, sticky or sweet foods.
• Stay away from very hot or cold food and drink.
• Don't place heat on the area.
• Never place aspirin on or near tooth.

 

Jaw Stiffness or Pain

DO:

• Take ibuprofen (advil or motrin) or naproxen (aleve).
• Alternate moist heat (warm washcloth or hot water bottle) for 20 minutes with cold (ice pack) for 20 minutes.
• Call the dentist during office hours

DON'T:

• Don't stress your jaw joint by chewing hard or sticky foods including ice and gum.
• Don't ignore this- it may be a symptom of TMJ disorder, which is treatable by the dentist.

 

Wisdom Tooth Pain

DO:

• Keep the area clean by brushing and flossing properly.
• Take acetaminophen (tylenol), ibuprofen (advil or motrin), or aspirin.
• Call the dentist during office hours

DON'T:

• Never place aspirin on or near tooth.
• Don't procrastinate calling the dentist

 

Chipped Baby Tooth

DO:

• If painful, give the child baby tylenol.
• If swollen, place ice on the area (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
• If mild or no pain, call the dentist during office hours.
• For severe pain, call the dentist as soon as possible.

DON'T:

• Don't place heat on the area.
• Don't eat sweet foods or eat or drink anything very hot or cold.
• Don't panic, there is usually no damage to the permanent teeth.

 

Teething Pain

DO:

• The following usually helps: cold objects (i.e. cold teething ring), teething ointment, firm finger massage.

DON'T:

• Don't leave unsafe objects wear baby can get them; your baby may want to chew on them.