If you are experiencing a dental emergency
please contact us immediately.
Our 24-hour Emergency Number is (661) 299-2525
Although dental emergencies and accidents can happen at any time, knowing how to
manage them can minimize pain and even save you time and money. The following is
a listing of the most common dental emergencies and the actions to follow if
injury occurs.
Knocked-out Tooth
Knocked-out teeth account for approximately 15% of children’s dental emergencies. If this happens to you or your child, your dentist may be able to replace this tooth to its original position. Please follow the following instruction:
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Find the tooth and rinse off any dirt or debris under cool running water. |
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Take care not to touch the tooth by its root to prevent damage to the remaining vital tissues. |
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Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue. |
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To prevent the tooth from drying out, put it in saline or contact lenses solution. You can also use milk, cool water or simply place it in the mouth between the cheek and gum. |
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Bring the injured person and the tooth to the dentist within 30 minutes after the injury. |
Fractured Teeth
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Rinse your mouth with water to clean the area |
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Apply a cold compress to the cheek near the fracture to prevent swelling. |
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Visit your dentist immediately. |
Cut Lip, Gum, Tongue, or Cheek
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Clean the wound with a clean cloth |
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Apply pressure to the area to stop bleeding |
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If bleeding stops and the injury is minor, apply cold compress to the area to prevent swelling. Visit your dentist soon following the injury to make sure that no teeth were damaged during the injury and the wound is healing well. |
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If bleeding persists, keep applying pressure with a clean gauze or cloth and visit your dentist immediately. |
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Occasionally, such injuries will also cause some teeth to become mobile or even
dislocate. If this happens, do not attempt to reposition the teeth yourself as
you may cause further injury. Visit your dentist immediately. |
Lost Filling
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Clean the area gently. |
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Place a small piece of cotton in the cavity to prevent discomfort. |
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Avoid biting on this tooth as it may cause tooth to fracture. |
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Call your dentist as soon as possible. |
Toothache
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Rinse your mouth with warm water. |
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Using floss, gently clean the area around your tooth to make sure that no object has been lodged in between your teeth or under the gum. |
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Avoid placing aspirin or other medication on the tooth or surrounding gum as it may cause painful burns of the gum. |
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Contact your dentist as soon as possible. |
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If your toothache is accompanied by a rapidly progressing facial swelling or high fever you should go directly to emergency room in a nearby hospital. In some cases IV antibiotics may be necessary to prevent spread of infection to other organs. |
Painful Sores
There are two types of sores that can occur in the area: canker sore and cold sore.
Canker sores usually occur inside of the mouth and are white or gray with a red border. While very painful, these sores are very common and are not contagious. Canker sores do not require emergency treatment but can be managed with antimicrobial mouthrinses and over-the-counter surface anesthetics. Your dentist or pharmacist may recommend the best products for you to use. These sores usually heal in one to two weeks.
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, usually occur on lips
or around the mouth area. Occasionally, these lesions may also occur in the
mouth. These sores are usually composed of a group of painful, fluid-filled
blisters that eventually burst and heal. Complete healing usually takes between
1 week to 10 days. The sore usually begins with a tingling sensation and can be
precipitated by cold, stress, sun or wind. These sores are caused by herpes
virus type I and there is no known cure but your dentist may prescribe
medication to shorten the duration and reduce pain. Cold sores are very
contagious and care should be taken not to transmit them to other parts of your
body or other individuals. All non-emergency dental treatment should be
postponed until the sore heals to prevent pain and spread of the infection to
other areas.
Suspected Broken Jaw
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Do not attempt to move the jaw. |
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Secure the jaw in place by tying a towel around the jaw and over the top of the head. |
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Place cold compress to swollen areas. |
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Seek immediate emergency room assistance. |
Many dental injuries and emergencies can be prevented.
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Visit your dentist for a check-up and necessary x-rays every 6 months. This will allow your dentist to detect and correct any dental problems before they escalate into a dental emergency. |
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Exercise good oral home care and have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year or as often as your dentist recommends. |
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Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouthguard. Your child should have one or two. According to the American Dental Association, about 5 million teeth are knocked out every year when mouthguards are not worn. Mouthguards typically cover upper teeth and cushion blows to the face minimizing the risk of injury to soft tissues and broken teeth. For best results, your mouthguard should be custom made for you to make sure that it stays in place and allows you to breath an talk properly. Your dentist can custom fit one for you quickly and inexpensively. Dental Topics |
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Teeth grinding also called bruxism can damage your teeth significantly. Wearing a nightguard at night can help prevent damage and assure you a good night rest. Dental Topics |
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Kick the habit: Chewing ice can cause fractures teeth and dental work. |
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Protect your smile and your life – wear a seatbelt. |