Emergencies

Tooth Ache
Begin by cleaning around the sore tooth meticulously. Using warm salt water, rinse the mouth to displace any food trapped between the teeth. Don’t use aspirin on the aching tooth or on the gum, it will burn the gum and make things worse. In the event of facial swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. For temporary dental pain relief, ibuprofen is recommended. Call our office as soon as possible.

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, call our office, or if after hours, go to an emergency room.

Broken Tooth from Trauma
Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Recover any broken tooth fragments. Get immediate dental attention.

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 touch or handle the tooth any more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of guaze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk or water or hold it under your tongue. Because time is essential, see a dentist immediately.

Dr. Z’s Post Extraction Guide:

Leave the gauze in place for 30 minutes.
The fresh blood clot will be soft and fragile the first day so avoid disturbing the site.
Chew softer foods. Drink liquids carefully. Don’t use a straw.
Do NOT rinse, swish or spit and avoid any activity that might dislodge the clot.
If bleeding reoccurs, place dry gauze on the site and bite down for another 30 minutes.
If gauze is not available, use a tea bag, dipped in hot water and squeezed.
After the second day, the clot shrinks, locks in and is stable enough to resume normal activities.
If you experience any soreness, Ibuprofen is very effective.