During any emergency it’s important to remain calm as you arrange for treatment, and be sure to follow these instructions in the the meantime.
Toothache
- Rinse mouth vigorously with cool water.
- Floss to remove food that might be trapped between teeth.
- DON’T use heat or place aspirin ON the aching tooth or gum.
- Call us as soon as possible.
Broken Fillings
- Gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove debris.
- If tooth is sensitive, protect it with orthodontic wax or a wad of sugarless gum (be careful while chewing).
- Call us as soon as possible.
Broken Denture/Partial
- Save all the pieces.
- Don’t try to repair it yourself with “fix-it-kits” or glue. Amateur repairs can ruin your dentures.
Lost Crown or Temporary
- Temporarily replace crown with a paste of Vaseline mixed with a lot of baby powder.
- Beeswax or tissue paper can keep tooth away from air if the crown doesn’t stick. Call us to recement the temporary.
Knocked-Out Tooth
- DON’T clean the tooth root—avoid damage to delicate nerves.
- Keep tooth moist by gently placing it inside your cheek.
- If this isn’t possible, place tooth in a glass of milk or water.
- See us immediately—within 30 minutes. Don’t forget to bring the tooth!
Irritation From Wearing Braces
- If it’s wire, cover the end with wax or a piece of gauze. See the orthodontist as soon as possible.
- If wire is embedded in cheek or gums do not attempt to remove it. See the orthodontist immediately. If part of your braces has broken off, take them with you.
Painful Teething For Baby
- Try teething gels and ointments.
- Sometimes small pieces of ice relieve pain.
Painful Infected Tooth
- Tooth sensitivity to temperature and pressure along with fever, swelling, and pain may indicate a tooth infection or abscess.
- This problem will never go away by itself.
- Call us immediately if you suspect an abscess.
