Dental emergencies are unpredictable, sneaking up when you least expect it. Maybe you bit into a hard snack, walked into the wall (hey, it happens), or got your sleep interrupted by a pulsing toothache. Full Smile Dental is happy to offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies, committed to your dental health even during the most unexpected circumstances. There are times, however, when it may take longer than you’d like to get to our office. For the most common dental emergencies, there are steps you can take at home to manage pain and prevent further damage until you can see a dentist.

Tips For Dental Dilemmas At Home

It’s important to note that if you have had an accident that involves serious facial trauma or includes medical components, it’s time to visit an emergency room. During business hours, contact Full Smile Dental to discuss your situation and schedule a time to be seen as soon as possible to address the problem. For at-home care, the following tips can help relieve symptoms until you’re able to be seen.

Cracked / Broken Teeth

If you have cracked or broken a tooth, the following steps can help prevent further damage:

• Rinse your mouth out with warm water
• Save broken pieces if possible
• Use a cold pack to reduce potential swelling

Knocked Out Tooth

If you have knocked out a tooth, acting quickly is imperative to possibly save the tooth. Contact the office immediately and do the following:

• Pick up the tooth at the top, avoiding touching the root. To help preserve the tooth, it’s important to keep it moist by putting it in a container of whole milk or saliva.
• Control bleeding with a wet, cold compress.

A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency that needs immediate care. If you are unable to reach a dentist right away, visit the local emergency room.

Lost Filling / Crown

Losing a dental crown or dental filling can increase sensitivity and discomfort. Avoid chewing on the impacted side until you’re able to get it fixed. You can create a temporary seal for a lost filling by using sugarless gum. If your crown has fallen off but is still intact, clean it and try to place it back over the tooth using a small amount of toothpaste.

Swollen Jaw

A swollen jaw—especially one accompanied by fever, a bad taste in the mouth, or trouble swallowing—can indicate an infection. Use ice packs to reduce pain and swelling while waiting for your appointment.

Toothache

Toothaches can be horribly painful and disruptive to your life. If your tooth starts to hurt, here are some ways to relief:

• Rinse your mouth out with warm salt water.
• Gently floss in between your teeth to remove any potential trapped food.
• Use over-the-counter pain medication.
• Use a cold pack on the outside of your cheek to help with swelling and pain.

Some toothaches may be simply caused by trapped food, aggressive brushing, or eating something harder than usual. If a toothache lasts longer than a day or two or includes swelling, fever, bad taste, or other concerning symptoms, be sure to contact your dentist for an emergency appointment.

Treatment of dental emergencies depends on their severity, but our Full Smile Dental team will ensure you have the best care as quickly as possible.

Find Your Healthiest Smile at Full Smile Dental

No one likes to think about the discomfort and inconvenience that come with dental emergencies, but things happen outside of our control all the time. Being prepared to handle any number of situations at home can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your teeth. At-home remedies should only be used on a temporary basis while waiting to be seen by a professional. Even if you feel the problem has been handled, it’s advised to visit the office to know for sure—the integrity of your long-term oral health may depend on it!

Full Smile Dental provides exceptional dental and oral surgery care to patients of all ages. If you’ve been suffering from dental pain or an accident involving your mouth, contact Full Smile Dental immediately!

Schedule an appointment with us by filling out an online registration form. Read about what you can expect on your first visit to have a smooth experience. We offer many payment and financing options to make your oral health treatment more affordable. We’re ready to save the day—and your teeth!