Dental Emergencies: What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

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Dental Emergencies: What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

A dental emergency can happen to anyone, at any time. Whether it is a sudden, excruciating toothache in the middle of the night, a broken tooth from a sporting injury, or a lost filling, knowing how to react in the first few minutes can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

At Your Family Dentist, we prioritise urgent cases to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, the most important step is to contact our clinic immediately. However, there are several crucial first-aid steps you should take at home before you reach the dentist’s chair.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Not every dental problem requires an immediate, same-day appointment. For example, a minor chip that doesn’t hurt or a dull, intermittent ache can usually wait a day or two. However, you should seek emergency dental care if you experience any of the following:

  • Severe, unrelenting pain that prevents you from sleeping or concentrating.
  • Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth.
  • A knocked-out (avulsed) adult tooth.
  • Swelling in the face, jaw, or neck, which can indicate a spreading, potentially life-threatening infection.
  • A severely broken or fractured tooth that exposes the sensitive inner nerves.
  • Signs of a dental abscess, such as a pimple-like bump on the gums accompanied by fever and a foul taste.

First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies

If you are facing an urgent dental issue, follow these steps while you wait to see your dentist:

1. A Knocked-Out Tooth

This is the most time-critical dental emergency. If an adult tooth is knocked out, it can often be successfully re-implanted if you act within 30 to 60 minutes.

  • Handle by the Crown: Pick up the tooth by the chewing surface (the crown). Do not touch the root, as this can damage the delicate cells needed for reattachment.
  • Clean Gently: If the tooth is dirty, rinse it very gently with milk or saline. Do not scrub it, use soap, or rinse it under tap water.
  • Reinsert if Possible: Try to gently push the tooth back into its socket facing the correct way. Bite down softly on a clean piece of gauze to hold it in place.
  • Keep it Moist: If you cannot reinsert the tooth, place it in a small container of milk or your own saliva. Do not store it in water.
  • Get to the Dentist Immediately.

2. Severe Toothache

A severe, throbbing toothache is usually a sign that the nerve inside the tooth is infected or dying.

  • Clean the Area: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water to clear away any trapped food debris. Use dental floss gently around the painful tooth.
  • Pain Relief: Take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen or paracetamol as directed. Never crush an aspirin and place it directly on the tooth or gums, as this will cause a severe chemical burn.
  • Cold Compress: If your face is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time.

3. Chipped or Broken Tooth

A broken tooth can be painful and leaves the tooth vulnerable to further damage and infection.

  • Save the Pieces: If you can find the broken fragments of the tooth, save them and bring them to your appointment.
  • Rinse: Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Control Bleeding: If the injury caused bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean piece of gauze for 10 minutes.
  • Protect Your Tongue: If the break has left a sharp, jagged edge, cover it with a piece of sugarless chewing gum or orthodontic wax to prevent it from cutting your tongue or cheek.

4. Lost Crown or Filling

Losing a crown or filling exposes the sensitive dentin underneath, which can cause sharp pain when eating or drinking.

  • Save the Crown: If you lose a crown, keep it safe and bring it to the dentist; it can often be re-cemented.
  • Temporary Protection: You can use over-the-counter dental cement or a small piece of sugarless gum to temporarily fill the cavity or cover the exposed tooth. Do not use superglue.

When to Go to the Hospital Emergency Room

While most dental emergencies should be handled by a dentist, there are times when you should go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • A fractured or dislocated jaw.
  • Severe facial swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe.
  • Heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop after 20 minutes of applied pressure.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While accidents happen, many dental emergencies are entirely preventable. You can significantly reduce your risk by:

  • Wearing a Mouthguard: Always wear a custom-fitted mouthguard when playing contact sports.
  • Avoiding Hard Foods: Do not chew on ice, popcorn kernels, hard boiled lollies, or pens, as these can easily fracture teeth.
  • Never Using Your Teeth as Tools: Do not use your teeth to open packaging, rip tape, or crack nuts.
  • Attending Regular Check-ups: Routine dental exams allow your dentist to spot and treat weak fillings, decay, and hairline fractures before they turn into painful emergencies.

Emergency Dental Care When You Need It

At Your Family Dentist, we understand how distressing a dental emergency can be. We reserve time in our daily schedule specifically for urgent cases.

If you are in pain, do not wait. Contact our clinic immediately to book an emergency appointment and let our compassionate team provide the relief you need.

Related: If you have a dental implant emergency, read our guide on what to do when an implant fails.