How to Handle Dental Emergencies – Tips and Advice

Dental emergencies are never convenient. We would all prefer that if we lose a tooth or crack a crown that it happens on a weekday between the hours of 8am and 5pm, but life just does not work that way. Even though most dental practices offer emergency treatment hours, it is important to know how to handle a dental emergency in case it is impossible to get to a dentist. Here are just a few tips on dealing with serious dental problems from our Pompano Beach area cosmetic dentistry specialists.

Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth: Rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a piece of cotton to the tooth to stop any bleeding. To deal with swelling, apply a cold compress to the area near the broken tooth.

Missing teeth: If your tooth is knocked out, gently rinse off the tooth and try to put it back in the socket. If it won’t go back in the socket, store it in milk and try to get to the dentist immediately.

Abscess: An abscess is a dangerous infection that occurs near the root of a tooth. Schedule an appointment to see your dentist if you notice a painful swelling on your gum. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with a mild salt water solution to ease pain.

Toothaches: Begin by rinsing your mouth with warm water. Remove any food lodged between teeth with dental floss. Apply a cold compress to the cheek near the toothache.

Broken jaw: If you suspect your jaw is broken, apply a cold compress to the jaw to start to reduce swelling. See a physician as soon as possible or go directly to the emergency room.

To deal with a broken tooth, missing tooth, or infection, contact our Pompano Beach dental crowns specialist.