Be prepared for dental emergencies with our comprehensive guide. Get tips on handling tooth pain, cracked teeth, and other urgent situations.

Picture this: after a misstep, you take a nasty fall that knocks your jaw against the ground. A shooting pain rushes through your gums. When you stick your finger into your mouth to check the damage, you realize one of your teeth has come loose!

You're far from the only one to face this situation. Dental emergencies send an estimated 2 million Americans rushing to emergency rooms each year, most of them desperate for a quick fix after trauma. However, these patients don't always realize their regular dentist is often better equipped to help with dental emergencies!

Knowing what to do in the case of sudden dental pain and scheduling a quick appointment can help you address your condition as soon as possible. If you're facing a tooth-related crisis, read on to learn what to do depending on your situation.

Chipped Teeth

In most cases, minor tooth chipping isn't an emergency.

As long as the chip hasn't gone deeper than the enamel, you're unlikely to notice any pain or sensitivity. If the chipped area is all one color, you're likely dealing with a small enamel chip and won't experience any side effects.

In this case, make an appointment with your dentist, but don't worry about getting in right away: you've got time.

If part of the chipped area is discolored, often yellow or brown, the damage may have gone all the way to the soft inner part of the tooth. In this case, get an appointment ASAP to avoid pain or sensitivity!

In the meantime, apply gauze to stop any gum bleeding. You can use a cold compress (on the outside of the mouth only, never right against the gums) to relieve any pain or swelling.

Knocked-Out Teeth

This is one of the dental emergencies most likely to make patients panic, but a calm head can help you save the tooth if you act fast!

If you can find the missing tooth, pick it up by the crown, never by the roots. Rinse it with a bit of warm water without using soap, and avoid scrubbing. Place it in a cup filled with a bit of milk to preserve it until your dentist can try replacing it.

Depending on how soon you can reach your emergency dentist, they may recommend that you replace the tooth on your own. This must be done within about 30 minutes to an hour for the best results. Your dentist will walk you through the steps to reposition the tooth and have you come in for a check-up afterward.

Toothache

Toothaches can happen for a variety of reasons, but one of the most common is a dental abscess. This is a type of infection that attacks the tooth root or the area between the teeth and gums.

Left untreated, abscesses can cause swelling and serious pain around a tooth. You may also notice a pimple-like bump around the base of the tooth.

There's nothing you can do to fix an abscess on your own, but you can minimize your pain with a cold compress until you can visit our emergency dentistry team at The Tabas Center. If you take over-the-counter pain medications, avoid taking aspirin or other blood-thinners. These can complicate your treatment if you need a root canal or a similar procedure.

If the swelling worsens and you have difficulty speaking or breathing, visit the emergency room right away. The medical team there can help minimize your infection symptoms.

Lost Filling or Crown

Fillings and crowns are designed to last for years, if not decades. However, they can sometimes fall out with enough pressure, after oral trauma, or with enough tooth decay. You may or may not experience pain afterward.

Either way, always save the filling or crown, as your dentist may be able to re-cement it in place. Gargle with salt water to clean the affected area. Avoid chewing in that area while you're waiting for treatment.

You can use dental wax to protect the exposed tooth and keep any jagged edges from irritating into your gums. In a pinch, your emergency dentist may advise pushing sugar-free gum or a bit of gauze over the exposed tooth instead.

Object Stuck in Teeth

If you're struggling to remove an object from your teeth, you may be able to use dental floss to get it out. Sometimes, a floss threader can help you get the floss into a better position to remove the foreign object.

If you can't get the object out on your own, avoid trying to get it out by using sharp objects, such as pins, to get leverage and push it out. These can cause damage to your mouth or gums. See your emergency dentist ASAP!

Broken Dentures

Broken dentures may not be a painful emergency, but you'll likely want a fast repair to improve your oral function.

Always contact your dentist right away, and avoid trying to fix your dentures at home unless your dentist offers instructions. Though it's possible to find denture repair kits in drugstores or to repair dentures with superglue, these strategies can sometimes worsen the issue. Often, an emergency dentist can make same-day repairs, meaning there's no need to try a DIY approach.

Broken Braces or Wires

If your braces or the wires connecting them get damaged, they may be sharp enough to poke into the surrounding gums or your cheeks.

This can cause pain and irritation. Sticking dental wax, a piece of gauze, or sugar-free gum on the exposed braces can sometimes help you avoid discomfort. You may also be able to gently push the wire into a more comfortable position while you wait for treatment.

Get Expert Help in Dental Emergencies

When dealing with dental emergencies, it's crucial to keep a cool head and reach out for professional help. Though there's a lot you can do on your own to minimize pain, contacting your dentist for instructions and making a same-day appointment can help you fix the issue fast.

If you're struggling through a dental emergency, don't do it alone! Our professional and compassionate team is here to help even the most anxious patient get fast relief after an unexpected crisis. Contact us right away to schedule your appointment.

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