Dental Emergency

Recently Answered

• QWhat should I do if I break a tooth when my dentist's office is closed?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  

  Accidents can happen at any time. Watch as Dr. Maria Lopez Howell explains why having a backup plan can help save your tooth.

  
  
• QWhat are dental danger signs?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Dental danger signs could include bleeding, trauma to the teeth or mouth, severe toothaches or other mouth/tongue pain, infections, white colored lumps, loose teeth. All of these require immediate dental visits.
  
  You shouldn't wait before you're in pain to see a dentist. By seeing your dentist regularly, you can avoid unnecessary pain or lasting damage. Your dentist can help in detecting early warning signs and offer treatment. Practicing good oral health is also key to prevention, including brushing your teeth twice a day.

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• QWhat can cause a toothache?

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  A RealAge answered

  You can develop a toothache for many reasons, but the most common cause is tooth decay. When a tooth's structure breaks down, nerves may become exposed. If the nerves are irritated, your tooth will throb. Other causes of toothaches include:
  

  • infections
  • gum disease
  • trauma, such as a blow to the mouth
  • teeth grinding

  Make an appointment to see your dentist right away if you develop a persistent toothache.
  
• QWhat are the symptoms of toothache?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Symptoms of a toothache include:

  • an aching mouth or jaw
  • swelling
  • redness in the gums
  • bad taste in the mouth
  • fever

  A toothache should be evaluated by a dentist right away to determine the cause of the problem and prevent the tooth from dying.

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• QHow can toothaches be prevented?

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  A Dr. Elif E. Oker, MD , Medical Toxicology, answered

  Toothaches occur for many reasons. These can include cavities and infections. While nothing completely prevents tooth pain, much can be done to reduce your risk of these conditions. The best strategy is dental care. This includes brushing your teeth regularly and effectively, flossing daily and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. In general, dental check-ups every 6 months are recommended for most people.

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• QWhat treatments are available for my toothache?

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Your dentist can evaluate the cause of a toothache and the appropriate related treatment. In some cases, a toothache is a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth.
  
  An abscessed tooth can be treated with various treatments, depending on the severity of the infection. Here are some of the treatment methods a dentist may consider:

  • antibiotics, to destroy the bacteria causing the infection
  • drainage of the infection
  • cleaning the space between the tooth and the gum if the cause is from gum disease
  • root canal treatment if the abscess is caused by decay or a cracked tooth

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• QWhat if I have a dental emergency but no dental insurance?

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  A Dr. Mark A. Burhenne, DDS , Dentist, answered

  Here is what I recommend if you don't have dental insurance but find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency.

  • Know that it's important to take care of it now, not later. If you wait, things can get worse, infections can spread, and treatment can become even more costly.
  • Contact a local dental health school, which will often offer treatments at a large discount. Or contact a local free clinic or an emergency room with a dentist on staff.
  • Ask your dentist if he or she offers a payment plan. Many dental offices do this.
  • Look into applying for a health credit card. Some of my patients have them in case of emergencies. The card is something you would need to apply for in advance of the emergency.

  No matter what, know that you deserve the best care possible. Don't go telling yourself stories that you aren't young enough/rich enough/fill in the blank. You may have to pay out of pocket to get it, but don't let not having dental insurance get into your head.
  
  Know that you are worth the best health care possible.

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• QWhat should I do in the event of a dental emergency?

  3 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth. Here are some helpful tips:
  

  • Knocked-out tooth: Keep the tooth moist at all times. Hold the tooth by the crown, and if the tooth is dirty, rinse the root in water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. The tooth must not be left outside the mouth to dry. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If it cannot be replaced in the socket, put the tooth in a container with milk. Take your tooth to a dentist as soon as possible -- ideally, within 30 minutes after reinsertion.
  • Cracked or broken tooth: Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the face to keep any swelling down. Go to the dentist right away. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist. Wrap the tooth piece in some wet gauze or a wet towel if possible.
  • Jaw possibly broken: Apply cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately.
  • Objects caught between teeth: Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If you're not successful, go to the dentist. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
  • Toothache: Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. Go to the dentist as soon as possible.
  • Bitten tongue or lip: Clean the area gently with a cloth and put cold compresses (like an ice pack or a washcloth with ice wrapped inside) on the area to keep the swelling down. If bleeding is heavy or doesn't stop in a short period of time, go to your dentist or an emergency center.

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• QWhat constitutes a dental emergency?

  1 Answer

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  A RealAge answered

  Dental emergencies vary, but they usually involve a broken tooth or some type of severe pain in your mouth. If you think you have a dental emergency, you should contact your dentist immediately. The sooner you take action, the more likely you are to keep the teeth involved. Specific examples of dental emergencies are broken teeth, teeth that have been knocked out, a broken jaw, and any type of severe pain affecting your teeth or gums. When you call your dentist to make an appointment, do your best to accurately describe your emergency. This will help them prepare for your arrival. If a filling or a crown falls out, this may constitute a dental emergency as well. Don’t hesitate to contact your dentist.
• QWhat are the treatment options for dental emergencies?

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  A Dr. Saul N. Miller, DDS , Dentist, answered

  Treatment options for dental emergencies depend on the cause of the urgency or true emergency. Most of the treatment options involve seeing a dental professional for diagnosis and treatment of the problem. There are many types of emergencies from a broken tooth to periapical abscess, periodontal abscess, acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, pericoronitis, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling and fever related to dental disease and sharp pain on biting, just to name a few.
  
  In determining treatment for any problem, including dental, a diagnosis must first be made. Without that, there is no way to determine what to do to resolve the emergency.

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