Dental emergencies can happen without warning. It’s important to be prepared beforehand so you aren’t scrambling! What are the most common emergencies? How should you handle them?
Common Dental Emergencies
A handful of dental problems are considered emergencies. If you experience any of the following, please call our office right away:
- A toothache
- A lost filling
- Broken tooth restoration (crown, denture, etc.)
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- An abscess
- Loose adult tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
What to Do During an Emergency
Calling us as soon as you can is always important. For a knocked-out tooth, you’ll want to control the bleeding and find the tooth if you can. If you find the tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse it clean. Try to put it back in the empty socket and bite down on a piece of gauze. If you can’t do this, put it in a cup of milk or hold it in your cheek. It’s essential to keep the tooth moist so we can reattach it.
For tooth or gum pain (which can be caused by cavities, infections, cracks, or foreign objects stuck in your teeth), gently brush and floss. Rinse with warm saltwater. Over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses also help. Please call us before your toothache becomes unbearable.
Get to an Emergency Dentist, Not the Emergency Room
For severe pain or emergencies like a lost tooth, many people think they should go to the emergency room. ERs are not equipped to handle dental emergencies, so it’s best to give us a call! We build in time for same-day emergency treatment. The only mouth related-injury you should go to the ER for is a broken jaw.
Dental Emergencies at Jones Creek Family Dentistry in Baton Rouge, LA
You can avoid dental emergencies by maintaining great oral hygiene, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and not chewing on hard foods like ice. Sometimes, emergencies still happen. Dr. Jones and our team are here for you! If you have any questions about what counts as an emergency, how much emergency care costs, or anything else, please contact us today.
Contact Us
