Emergency Information:
What To Do
Stay calm. Many dental problems can be dealt with at home, until you have an opportunity to see your dentist. However, if your emergency is life-threatening or if you are in extreme pain, dial 911 and notify emergency medical professionals immediately.
General Problems
- Numbness: Numbness usually lasts for approximately 2 – 4 hours after treatment. If still experiencing numbness after eight hours, contact your dentist.
- Pain: If you are experiencing pain even after taking over the counter pain relievers, contact your dentist for a possible prescription.
- Bleeding: If bleeding is persistent and if you are unable to stop it with pressure, contact your dentist immediately
- Infection: Rinse mouth with warm salt water. If swelling persists, contact your dentist
Jaw Problems
Jaw Injury:
1. If your teeth fit together properly when your mouth is closed:
- Apply ice to control swelling and take ibuprofen or similar remedy to control pain
- Restrict diet to soft foods and if no improvement occurs within 24 hours, contact your dentist
2. If your teeth do NOT fit together properly when the mouth is closed:
- Immediately seek emergency care
- Gently align the jaws
- Immobilize the jaw by wrapping a cloth bandage under the chin and securing it over the head
- Apply ice
- Do NOT blow nose
Injury to the soft tissues (gums, cheek, tongue) of mouth:
- Gently rinse out your mouth with cold water.
- Apply pressure to the wound with clean cloth, gauze, or tissue.
- If bleeding persists, contact your dentist or visit a medical emergency room.
Tooth Problems
Broken/fractured tooth:
- Clean the injured area and apply ice to minimize swelling.
- Save the broken piece of tooth (for possible reattachment).
- Call your dentist immediately.
Extruded tooth (tooth pushed out of place):
- Gently push the tooth back into place, if possible.
- Call your dentist.
Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out):
- Gently rinse off the tooth while holding it by the crown (the top of the tooth).
- Attempt to place the tooth back in the socket, or if that is not possible, briefly store the tooth in either cold milk or salt water.
- Call your dentist immediately.