Knocked-Out, Chipped or Aching Tooth? What to Do Before You Reach the Dentist
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a good time: a fall on the bike trail, a ball to the face at practice, a crown that comes off at dinner. What you do in the first hour can decide whether a tooth can be saved. Here is what to do for the most common problems, and when to skip the dentist and go to the emergency room.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if
- Swelling in your face, mouth or neck makes it hard to breathe or swallow.
- You may have broken your jaw or a facial bone, or you can't open your mouth or move your jaw.
- Bleeding from the mouth or gums won't stop with firm pressure.
- The injury came with a blow to the head or neck.
An ER can control bleeding, pain and dangerous swelling, but it usually can't repair teeth, so plan to see your dentist afterward. This list follows guidance from HCA Florida Healthcare.
A knocked-out adult tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth can often be saved if it gets back in its socket quickly. The American Association of Endodontists recommends these steps:
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface). Don't touch the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it gently with plain water. Don't scrub it, dry it, or wrap it in tissue, and don't use soap.
- If you can, put it back in the socket and hold it in place by biting down gently or with your fingers.
- If it won't go back in, keep it moist: in a cup of milk, inside your mouth next to your cheek, or in a tooth-preservation kit. Don't store it in tap water.
- Get to a dentist within 30 minutes if you can, and bring the tooth with you.
Baby teeth are different. Don't try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. Call your dentist for advice instead.
A chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces of the tooth. If your lip or cheek is swelling, hold a cold compress on the outside of your face. Then call your dentist. A small chip can often be repaired with tooth-colored bonding, while a larger break may need a crown.
A lost crown or filling
Keep the crown and bring it with you, since it can sometimes be cemented back on. Chew on the other side until you are seen, and don't use household glue to reattach it. Call your dentist to book a visit.
A toothache or swelling
Rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove any food caught near the tooth. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek can help with swelling, and an over-the-counter pain reliever taken as the label directs can ease pain until you are seen. Don't put aspirin directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue. A toothache with swelling or fever can mean an infection, so call your dentist promptly, and go to the ER if the swelling affects your breathing or swallowing.
Preventing the next one
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports, biking and skateboarding. A custom-made one fits better than a store-bought one.
- Don't chew ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels.
- Use scissors, not your teeth, to open packages.
If it happens near El Dorado Hills
Call Drs. Peliks & Peliks at (916) 933-7401. We are open Monday and Wednesday from 12 to 7 pm and Tuesday and Thursday from 7 am to 2 pm. If you have any of the warning signs listed at the top of this page, go to the emergency room first.
