Advice for Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be frightening and often painful.  Prompt treatment is almost always necessary to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival. ALWAYS contact your dentist immediately if you experience a dental emergency. Here are a few of the more common dental emergencies and how you should handle them:

Tooth Knocked Out

If a tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, it is essential to contact your Manhattan Beach General Dentist immediately since tissues, nerves and blood vessels can become damaged.  If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again. Contact your dentist immediately.

1. DO NOT touch the root of the tooth. Pick it up carefully by the crown and rinse under warm water.
2. Place the tooth back in the socket if possible.
3. If you cannot place the tooth, put it into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort.  It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
4. Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.

The dentist will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket but if the root structure of the tooth is seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.

Lost Filling or Crown

Once you’ve lost a filling the affected tooth may become highly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.  When a crown comes out make a dental appointment as soon as possible.  Keep the crown in a cool, safe place so your Manhattan Beach Dentist can try to reinsert it.  If the dentist is not immediately available you can follow these temporary steps.

1. Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
2. Clean the crown and reattach with dental cement.  This can be purchased at the local pharmacy. DO NOT use any type of regular glue!
3. If you’ve lost a filling smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Natural teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks and breaks. If the crack extends into the root, the pain may be extreme.  If a tooth fractured or cracked, you must see the dentist as quickly as possible. Meanwhile take the following steps:

1. Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
2. Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
3. Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if there is no way to see the dentist immediately.
4. Take a topical pain reliever.