Quick guidance for common dental emergencies — and when to call us right away.
Take an over-the-counter pain medicine that works for you, but never place pills directly on the sore tooth. Hold an ice pack against your face at the site of pain. Do not apply heat — a heating pad or hot water bottle will make things worse.
Broken teeth can almost always be saved. Call us and explain what happened. Small breaks are often fixed with a white filling; larger breaks may need a root canal and a crown.
Act quickly. If the tooth looks clean, gently place it back in its socket. If that's not possible, place it in a container of cold milk and come to our office immediately — getting help within ten minutes gives a fair chance the tooth will take root again.
Press down on the bleeding area with a clean cloth. Use an ice pack if the lip is swollen. If bleeding doesn't stop, go to a hospital emergency department right away.
Try gently removing it with dental floss. Never use a sharp object, which can scratch your tooth surface or damage your gums.
Still concerned about a symptom?
Call the Office