Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do about a loose tooth?
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If a dental injury has left you with a loose tooth, get in touch with us today to schedule a same-day appointment. Left untreated, the nerves supporting your tooth could die, causing the tooth to fall out entirely. Don’t hesitate to reach out, we are here to help!
Once you’ve scheduled your appointment, try to avoid touching the loose tooth with your tongue or fingers, as it’s important to keep the tooth as stable as possible. When you arrive at our office for emergency care, your dentist will attach the loose tooth to the adjacent teeth with a stabilizing splint. The splint will provide support for the tooth, allowing the healing process to begin so the tooth can re-attach itself to your gums.
What should I do about a chipped, broken or cracked tooth?
Without a professional oral exam, it is difficult to know how severe a chip, break, or crack in your tooth really is. When left untreated, broken or cracked teeth can easily become infected and cause additional, preventable complications.
The best thing to do if you crack, chip, or break a tooth is to give us a call and visit our office as soon as possible. We will examine your injured tooth to determine the extent of the damage, and offer guidance and recommendations about how to restore and protect your smile, and relieve your dental pain.
What should I do about a severe toothache?
If you experience a toothache that lasts for 2 or more days, it could be a sign of tooth infection, which is a serious dental emergency. If your tooth is infected, you may require root canal therapy to save your tooth.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re having a severe toothache. To manage your pain before visiting our office, you can apply a cold compress to your cheek, take over-the-counter pain medication, or apply a topical product, like Orajel, to numb the tooth and relieve the pain.
What should I do if my dental work has fallen out?
If possible, put all of your dental work in a plastic bag or container, and be sure to bring it with you. Call us immediately to schedule an emergency visit so we can address it as soon as possible.
Even though it’s not a natural tooth, losing a piece of dental work can expose vulnerable parts of your mouth to bacteria, which can trigger an infection, cause further decay, or lead to additional complications. Losing any dental work is a serious issue, and should be treated right away, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us as soon as you can. We will do everything we can to get your smile back in shape with restorative dental work.
What should I do if I’ve knocked out a tooth?
To recover your tooth, make sure to pick it up by the top (the crown) instead of by the bottom (the root), in order to minimize the risk of causing any additional damage. Next, rinse it with warm water to clean off any debris, being careful not to rub it with anything abrasive. Finally, try to place the tooth back in its socket if it will go back in with minimal effort. Don’t try to force it into place, otherwise you may cause further damage. If you can’t put it back in the socket, store it in a container of cold milk to keep it hydrated on your way to the dentist.
If this is a serious emergency, like a knocked-out tooth, try not to spend too much time on pain management. To save your tooth and avoid needing prosthetics, the tooth must be replaced and splinted within 1-2 hours. Call us right away to get immediate guidance about how to handle your dental emergency, and to ensure we are prepared for your visit.
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