Dental Emergencies

Tooth Replacement and Emergency Care

Immediate action when dental emergencies occur can prevent permanent damage and help ease the pain.

A common dental problem is toothache.

Cavities do not cause pain until they have progressed to the point of possibly jeopardizing the tooth. Toothaches should not be ignored, they require some form of attention. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol™ or ibuprofen may relieve some of the sensitivity. Avoid extreme temperatures and sweets as this may aggravate the symptoms. Call our office so that we can get you in for an evaluation—even if the pain goes away, the sooner the problem is treated, the smaller the chance of permanent damage to the tooth or the mouth.

If the pain is due to a lost filling, the filling should be replaced as soon as possible in order to prevent further decay from food particles and bacteria.

An abscess or swelling is caused by an infection in the tooth or gum. An abscess can have a serious effect on your general health as well as the health of the adjoining teeth or tissues and will not go away by itself. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol™ or ibuprofen may relieve some of the pain temporarily, call your dentist as soon as possible. Do not place aspirin directly on the gums or in the mouth to dissolve. Aspirin will burn the tissues of the mouth.

What if my tooth is knocked out?

If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the root so as not to damage any nerve endings. Place it in a glass of milk, salt water, a moist towel, or better yet a glass with your own saliva. Time is very important in a case such as this–if you see your dentist within 30 minutes, there is a good chance the tooth may be successfully re-implanted. If there is bleeding or swelling, apply ice for swelling and pressure for bleeding. Exercising good judgment and proper preventive measures should help you avoid injuries. Together with your dentist, you can work to keep your healthy smile. No matter what the emergency, your dentist is the best person to contact in case there is a problem or question.

Sometimes an emergency extraction is needed

Ordinarily, your dentist’s goal is to keep all of your teeth healthy, but there are times when a tooth just needs to be pulled. These simple extractions may be required for the good of the health of the rest of your mouth due to a number of reasons.

Severe damage is one reason why a tooth may be causing pain and require extraction. A tooth can become severely damaged when a cavity finds its way down to the center of the tooth, known as the pulp, or when the tooth has suffered some form of trauma. If possible, an attempt can be made to save the tooth by way of root canal therapy, but, in some cases, the tooth cannot be saved. In these instances, removal of the tooth can become necessary to prevent infection from damaging the surrounding areas.

Periodontal disease can cause the gums, tissue, and bone surrounding a tooth to recede, making it hard to maintain the tooth. In severe cases, removing the tooth may be the only option.

Teeth and Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can include injury to the teeth and, in order to safeguard against potentially serious and painful injuries, certain precautions should be taken.

Mouthguards are a good form of protection and should be worn by all athletes, young and old.

Mouthguards act as shock absorbers for the teeth and help to avoid fractured or lost teeth. There are three types of mouthguards, custom-fitted, mouth-formed, and stock. All three vary in price, effectiveness, and comfort. Your dentist can recommend which one would be most useful relative to the sport during which it will be worn. Hockey, lacrosse, football, squash, and boxing are sports that all require the use of a good mouthguard. These sports are high risk as far as dental injuries are concerned, and necessary precautions must be taken. Volleyball, baseball, skateboarding, and basketball are all sports, which are less risky. However, proper care should be exercised with these sports as well. If the jaw or teeth sustain an injury, notify your dentist immediately, or go to the hospital emergency room if necessary.

A fractured jaw needs to be cared for immediately.

If the jaw is broken, it will be painful, and very difficult to use the jaw. Immobilize the jaw, you may want to tie a cloth around it, but do not move your mouth. GO TO YOUR DENTIST OR EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY.

You are strongly advised to call Dr. Kinn at (419) 435-6700 or your physician in case of a dental or medical emergency.