Emergencies

Our Doctor’s have set aside special time each day for those patients that need emergency dental care. Please call our office as soon as you determine you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you into our schedule if you have a dental emergency during normal office hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office for the doctor’s emergency contact number.

Some of the most common dental emergencies and what to do at home until your appointment are listed below:

Tooth Ache
Begin by rinsing out your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you put asprin or other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area.

Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth out with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down.

Knocked out Permanent Tooth
Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk. Because time is essential, call us RIGHT AWAY!!

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
Ice can be applied to any bruised areas. For bleeding, apply firm (but gentle) pressure with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop with pressure or continues after 15 minutes, go to a hospital emergency room.