MOST FAMILIES HAVE a plan for fires, storms, and power outages. But what would you do if a tooth got knocked out at a soccer game, a braces wire started poking a cheek on a Saturday, or a toothache became unbearable at 10 p.m.? Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. A few minutes of planning now can protect your family’s smiles later.
Step 1: Keep Contact Information Handy
Save your dental office’s phone number in every family member’s phone, and ask how the practice handles after-hours calls. If your family sees more than one dental professional, such as a general or pediatric dentist, an orthodontist, or an endodontist, keep all of their numbers together in one easy-to-find place.
Step 2: Build a Dental First Aid Kit
A small kit at home, in the car, or in a sports bag helps you act fast. Include:
- Gauze pads
- A small container with a lid
- Over-the-counter pain reliever
- Orthodontic wax (for anyone with braces)
- Cotton swabs
- A cold pack
- Your dentists’ phone numbers
Step 3: Know How to Handle Common Emergencies
- A knocked-out adult tooth: Every minute counts. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the part you chew with), never by the root. If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water, but don’t scrub it. If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite down on gauze to hold it in place. If that isn’t possible, store it in a container of milk and call your dentist right away. A tooth has the best chance of being saved if it’s treated within an hour.
- A knocked-out baby tooth: Don’t try to put it back. Reinserting a baby tooth can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Call your child’s dentist for guidance.
- A chipped or broken tooth: Rinse with warm water, save any pieces you find, and apply a cold pack to the outside of the face to reduce swelling. Then call your dentist.
- A severe toothache or swelling: Intense, lingering pain or swelling may point to an infection inside the tooth, which sometimes calls for root canal treatment. Rinse with warm water, gently floss to remove trapped food, and use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Never put aspirin directly on the gums, since it can burn the tissue. Call promptly, because dental infections don’t go away on their own.
- Braces problems: Most orthodontic issues aren’t true emergencies. A poking wire can often be pushed into a better position with a cotton swab or covered with orthodontic wax. If a bracket comes loose, cover it with wax and call your orthodontist to schedule a repair.
Step 4: Know When to Go to the ER
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, bleeding that won’t stop, a possible broken jaw, or any head injury.
Step 5: Prevent What You Can
The best emergency is the one that never happens. Wear a mouthguard for sports, avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and pens, and keep up with regular checkups so small problems get caught before they become painful ones.
We’re Here When You Need Us
If you have questions about what counts as a dental emergency, or you’d like help putting together your family’s plan, contact our office.