Dental emergencies have a nasty way of striking at the worst possible moments, but knowing how to handle the situation can make the difference between reaching its most favorable possible outcome and permanently losing a tooth. Your dentist can often repair damaged teeth with effective restorative treatments, and knocked-out teeth can often be fixed back in place if they are treated in time. Here’s a quick look at how to take care of cracked, chipped, broken, and dislodged teeth before you get to your emergency dentist’s office.
Chipped, Cracked, and Fractured Teeth
Minor chips can often wait to be treated for a few days or weeks, but dental damage that causes pain or exposes the soft pulp tissue to the air and oral environment requires immediate attention from a qualified dentist. It’s also important to promptly seek emergency dental care if a crack extends below the gumline.
If you can locate any large pieces of your tooth, place them in a clean container for transport to your dentist’s office. Then, call your oral healthcare provider to explain the situation and receive an appointment time. If you need to relieve pain, use over-the-counter pain relievers according to instructions printed on the bottle and rinse with warm saltwater to kill harmful germs and soothe inflammation.
Dislodged Teeth
A tooth that is knocked out of its socket or loose in the gum tissue is at immediate risk of being permanently lost, so contact your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an emergency appointment. Locate the dislodged tooth and take care to handle it only by the crown portion since touching the exposed root can harm the vulnerable tissues therein. If it is dirty, swish it about in a bowl of lukewarm water since scrubbing, cleaning agents, and hot or cold water can harm it. Then, place it in a clean container with water, milk, or saliva so you can transport it to the dentist’s office. If you have one, use a tooth preservation kit that can keep a dislodged tooth in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.
If it is not in a preservation kit, a dislodged tooth’s chances of being successfully reimplanted begin to fall after about thirty minutes, so it is important to receive professional dental care promptly. If the tooth cannot be saved, it will have to be replaced.
Don’t let a dental emergency catch you off-guard. Arming yourself with the information you need to handle an oral health crisis can help your smile stay happy and healthy for life.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Garcia earned his dental degree at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry and stays abreast of the latest developments in his field through continuing education coursework. His office in El Paso offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a pressing oral health crisis, dial (915) 990-2186. For nonemergency inquiries, please contact the office online.