Dental emergency: what to do about a knocked-out tooth or a toothache

What counts as a true dental emergency?

A knocked-out tooth is urgent. So is pressure or temperature sensitivity that will not let up. For any of those, call us as soon as possible.

Uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling that affects your breathing, means you should go to the emergency room instead. A large cut to the face or a dislocated jaw is a reason to contact a medical doctor.

Some things feel like an emergency but are not. A loose orthodontic bracket, or a small chip on a tooth, is typically fine to wait a few hours to have handled. Call our team to arrange a visit.

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

The sooner you can get to our office, the better the chance the tooth can be put back in and survive. Here is what to do on the way.

• Gently rinse the tooth off with water
• Try to put it back in its socket within a few minutes, if you can
• Do not scrub the surface of the tooth, because scrubbing can destroy the fibers that would reattach
• If you cannot put it back in, keep it moist in your mouth wet with saliva, or in a container with milk or water
• Call us right away

Putting the tooth back quickly gives the blood supply and the nerve a chance to reconnect. Be realistic, though. Even if you get it back in, it does not always stay in, so the sooner it goes back the better the odds. If the tooth can be stabilized and kept out of the bite, with no pressure on it for a couple of weeks, that helps too.

What should I do about a toothache?

Call us. Pain, sensitivity to pressure, or sensitivity to hot and cold are all reasons to be seen. Lingering sensitivity, sharp pain when you bite, swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum, or pain that wakes you at night can point to an infected nerve, and that is worth checking with an exam and x-rays.

If there is severe tooth pain, swelling, or you think you might have an abscess, tell us when you call. It may be treated as a dental emergency, and we will do our best to see you as soon as possible.

What if a filling falls out?

If a filling comes out and the tooth is not sensitive, avoid chewing on that side and call us. You will be seen as soon as it is convenient. In the meantime, a little putty from the pharmacy placed in the hole can help prevent bacteria getting in and reduce sensitivity.

What if a crown comes off?

Gently rinse the debris out of the inside of the crown, then try to put it back on if there is enough tooth left to hold it. A very thin coating of tooth cement from the pharmacy can help. So can a thin coating of toothpaste, which hardens up once the crown is back in position.

Do not wait weeks or months to deal with it. Decay can set in, or the teeth on either side can shift, which makes the crown very hard to re-cement later.

Something is stuck between my teeth. What now?

Try swishing with water first. Then try dental floss. A toothpick can work, but be careful not to injure the gums with it. If it will not come out, or the area stays sore, call us.

To ask a question or book a visit, call Pearl Dental Care at (630) 810-9940 or visit us at 331 W 63rd St, Westmont, IL 60559.

This guide is educational only. Your dentist will tailor any plan at your visit.