What to Do in a Dental Emergency

A tooth accident could permanently damage your mouth and your wallet if not treated immediately by a dentist who takes a discount dental plan. Still, it may take time to get to your provider's office after the injury. Here are some tips that could possibly save your teeth in the meantime, and at the very least, could help prevent further damage.

Cracks or Fractures

If a tooth is simply chipped and doesn’t hurt, it may not be an emergency, and you may be able to wait a few days for an appointment. However, cracks and fractures could indicate that damage has occurred in the center of the tooth as well and should be treated quickly. You can often save on treatment for this damage with a discount dental plan.

Sometimes a fracture can be so bad that the dentist cannot recover it. Ideally, you would see a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. Until then, you can improve your chances of saving the tooth by following these steps:

• Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean and protect the area.


• If facial trauma caused the crack or fracture, use a cold compress to reduce swelling in the area.


• Take acetaminophen to relieve pain. Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen, because they thin the blood and may cause excess bleeding. Do not apply a topical painkiller like Orajel to the gum, because it may burn the tissue.

The dentist may need an X-ray to determine the extent of the injury. You may need a crown to cover and protect the tooth. If the inner pulp is damaged, you may need a root canal.

Knocked-out Tooth

If you take the proper steps immediately after your tooth is knocked out, the dentist may be able to restore and replace your tooth in its socket. The situation is very delicate, however, so unless you want to pay for an implant, you must move quickly.

• Do not touch the root. Pick it up by the crown and gently rinse it. Do not scrub or remove anything. Place a paper towel or washcloth in the sink as you rinse to prevent it from falling down the drain.


• If possible, insert the tooth back into the socket and bite down to hold it in place. If you cannot do this, place the tooth in a cup of milk or in a small container with a lid.

Speed is essential if you want to re-implant your tooth. Call your dentist immediately, because the more time it takes to see a dentist, the less chance your tooth has of “taking” and restoring itself.

There is no home remedy for an emergency of this nature. Though these steps can prevent the situation from getting worse, you must still see a dentist right away. If it requires urgent aid to stop continual bleeding in the mouth, relieve severe oral pain or save a tooth, it is generally considered an emergency. Be sure to see a dentist as quickly as possible for the best chance of proper recovery. You may need a discount dental plan with immediate coverage to help.