Emergency Treatments

Dental trauma is most often caused by accidents, falls, collisions, or participation in contact sports. It can affect the mouth, teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and jawbones. Injuries to the soft tissues in the mouth can be particularly painful and require prompt attention. The most common types of dental trauma are broken or lost teeth.

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For a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth:

Stay calm and follow these steps:

  1. Locate the tooth and handle it by the crown (the top part), avoiding the root.
  2. Do not try to reinsert a baby tooth back into the mouth.
  3. If unsure, store the tooth in milk or saliva and take it to the dentist right away.

For a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth:

  1. Find the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root.
  2. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently in milk or water, but do not scrub it.
  3. If possible, reinsert the tooth into its socket and gently bite down on a soft cloth, tissue, or use a mouthguard to hold it in place.
  4. If you can’t replant the tooth, transport it in milk or saliva to your dentist. Never store it in water.
  5. See your dentist as soon as possible, ideally within 30 minutes.
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Toothache

A toothache refers to pain or swelling around the teeth and gums, often caused by decay or infection. The pain can vary, from sharp and sudden discomfort to a dull, throbbing ache. It can be triggered by hot, cold, or sweet foods, biting down hard, or even occur spontaneously.

Toothaches can stem from a variety of issues, including gum infections, tooth decay, lost fillings, broken teeth, teeth grinding, emerging wisdom teeth, sinus problems, or nerve pain related to a dental abscess.

If you’re experiencing toothache, it’s crucial to visit a dentist promptly, as untreated pain will worsen. While pain relief can provide temporary relief, it won’t address the underlying problem.

Broken Teeth

The severity and location of a broken tooth will determine the best restorative options.

If only a small piece of enamel is broken or chipped, a filling can often be used to restore the tooth.

For larger breaks caused by decay, there may not be enough tooth structure left to support a filling, and a crown may be recommended to restore the tooth.

If only minimal tooth structure remains, a crown may not be viable, and alternative restoration options will be discussed. Your dentist will suggest the best solution for your situation.