DENTAL EMERGENCIES

A broken tooth is one of the most common dental emergencies.  Depending on the pain involved relates to how serious of an emergency.  Rinse it with warm water and floss it gently if there is food impacted.  If you have a lot of pain take some ibuprofen or Tylenol and call your dentist.  If the discomfort is minimal go to your pharmacy and get some temporary filling material to cover it up, until you get in for your appointment.

A fractured tooth is one that is split vertically like a wedge splits a log.  The severity with the fracture relates to the prognosis.  A complete fracture into the root usually results in tooth loss, so it is extracted.  Often the fracture is repairable.  Rinse it with warm water and don’t bite on it.  Severe lasting pain means you have a serious problem that might involve a root canal and crown, or an extraction.  Take Tylenol or ibuprofen to control the pain

A microscopic fracture might only give you a sharp pain when you bite on it a certain way.  This happens because as you bite and force some shifting of the two pieces the dental pulp or nerve is excited.  Don’t bite on it.  You might make it worse.  Help yourself to prevent these emergencies by not chewing on ice or popcorn kernels.  If you grind your teeth ask your dentist about a bruxism appliance.

A blow to the face, causing trauma can lead to a partial displacement of your tooth.  This is an emergency and the tooth should be pushed, slowly back into its proper position.  This is best accomplished by your dentist.  The tooth will need to be splinted or stabilized, for a while.  Follow up care is required.

Worse than a partial displacement is avulsion, or total displacement, where the tooth is knocked out.  This is an emergency and time is of the essence.  The cells on the root surface are very sensitive and should not be scrubbed or allowed to dry out.  Rinse the tooth under warm water while holding it gently from the crown (the white part).  Then place it back into the socket and hurry to your dentist.  Do not store it in water but cold milk is ok or saliva.  So if you are not able to replant it put it in a cup with milk or hold it gently in your mouth.  A tooth replanted within the first 5 minutes has a much better prognosis.  After one hour there is less success.  Your dentist will need to replant it and stabilize it.  Root canal therapy will be performed soon and follow up appointments for about 5 years.

Avulsed primary or baby teeth are not replanted, just apply a cold compress to control the bleeding and minimize the swelling.  Follow up with your dentist.

Sport mouth guards are highly recommended and could prevent about half of this type of injury.  The custom fit ones made by your dentist are the best because they offer you the most protection.  In ages 6-12 there are erupting teeth, and allowances in their design leave the room required for eruption.

Trauma to the lips or tongue sustained during these injuries usually heals well because of the vascularity in the area.  Stitches may be required.  If so, your dentist might do this or you might see a plastic surgeon at the emergency room.

Swelling of your face or gums is a dental emergency.  You should seek prompt attention for treatment at your dentist or emergency room.  You probably need antibiotics to minimize your infection.  Your dentist will make your diagnosis and help design your treatment