Severe Pain

 

The most common causes are debris lodged under the gum line, a lost filling or crown, a cracked or broken tooth, or an infection. Only a thorough examination by your Dentist can determine the underlying cause of severe pain.
Until you see your Dentist, apply ice to the painful area for 10-20 minutes of every hour. To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
Possible Broken Jaw Do not move your jaw. Secure your jaw in place with a handkerchief, necktie, or towel tied around the jaw and over the top of the head. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Go to the emergency room immediately.

Teeth

Debris between Teeth Carefully insert a piece of dental floss between your teeth. Be gentle so you do not cut the gum tissue. If you are unable to remove the object, see your dentist as soon as possible.

For the injured person:

​

● Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply gauze to the area and use firm pressure to stop the bleeding.

● When the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the injured area to minimize swelling. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of constant, firm pressure, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A Permanent (Adult) Tooth You have a 1-2 hour window in which your tooth has a chance for reimplantation - only your Dentist can tell you for sure. Take the following steps and see your Dentist right away. Remember to take your protected tooth with you.
For the Injured Person:

● Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply gauze to the area and use firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Try to find the missing tooth right away.

● When the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the injured area to minimize swelling. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of constant, firm pressure, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.

● Place the tooth in a small container and cover it with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.

For the broken tooth:

​

● Hold the tooth only by its crown (the enamel, visible portion). If the tooth or root is dirty, place a towel or dishcloth in a sink (so the tooth cannot fall into the drain), and gently rinse the tooth and root but DO NOT 
SCRUB it or remove any gum tissue that may still be attached to the root.

● If possible, gently place the tooth back into its gum socket facing the correct direction (making sure that you do not force the tooth back in place). If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container and cover the tooth in milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.
 

A Child's Baby Tooth

​

● Call your dentist right away. Place the tooth in a small container and cover them with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person. If the child's baby tooth is completely knocked out, chances are it cannot be re-implanted but bring the tooth with you to the dentist. If the tooth cannot be reimplanted the missing tooth will be replaced naturally when the child's permanent (adult) tooth grows in.
Lost Filling or Crown Schedule an appointment with your dentist. Putting an ice pack on your face over the area that hurts may relieve the pain.
 

Filling:

​

● If you found the filling, put it in a safe place and take it with you when you see your dentist.

● To make your tooth more comfortable, fill the hole in your tooth with temporary filling material (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). DO NOT use any household adhesives in your mouth (super glue etc.).
 

Crown:

● If you found the crown, you may temporarily replace it yourself until you see your dentist.

● Gently clean any debris from the inside of your crown.

● To the inside of your crown, apply denture adhesive or toothpaste before slipping the crown back in place to protect your tooth.

 

Toothache

 

Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be trapped between your teeth or just under your gum line. If your tooth continues to hurt, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

​

● Small cuts are likely to heal on their own.

● Carefully wipe the area with a clean towel. Apply cold via ice pack, or small bag of frozen fruit or vegetables to the effected area.

● If the cut is large, or if bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of cold treatment, go to the emergency room.
 

Burned Roof of Mout

​

● Eating very hot food can burn the roof of your mouth. These painful sores and blisters normally heal on their own. If they have not healed after approximately 10 days, see your dentist.

● During healing, use warm salt water rinses after meals to keep the area clean. If pain relief is needed use a topical oral anesthetic (found overthe-counter at your pharmacy). You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed on the packaging label.
 

Sores in the Mouth

If your mouth sores are caused by having braces, apply a topical anesthetic (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed on the packaging label.
 

Pain, Swelling, or Abscess

 

See your dentist right away because gum pain or swelling can be the symptoms of an abscess (infection) that forms in gum tissue or in a tooth's root and the area that surrounds it. There are many reasons why gums can swell, become painful, or abscess. Only a thorough exam by your Dentist can identify the underlying cause.
 If the abscess ruptures, you may experience a sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid from the swollen or painful area. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
 

Food trapped between Teeth

 

While this commonly occurs, it is not a dental emergency. To dislodge the food, try tying a small knot in the middle of some dental floss, or use an interproximal brush or toothpick