Dental Emergencies

Dr. Levin’s Guide to Dental Emergencies

We have noticed in Dr. Levin’s office that dental emergencies are extremely common in about 22% of general population which report experiencing dental pain in the past 6 months. For most of our patients, dental issues can be frightening, uncomfortable, and painful. Dr. Levin should be the first person called when a dental emergency arises. We set aside time for emergency procedures. An experienced dentist like Dr. Levin who provides the right diagnosis and appropriate treatment is critical. Our prompt attention to the issue will alleviate pain, ensure comfort of the patient and make sure the impacted teeth have the best chance of survival.

Types of dental emergencies

There are different types of dental emergencies, each requiring the right approach and care. Sometimes, even healthy teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. In other cases, loose fillings and crowns as well as other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth. When severe pain or bleeding is present, a dentist should be consulted right away. It is important for the patient to know that tooth pain caused by dental emergencies gets worse without treatment and gets more expensive with time. Healthy teeth should be a priority and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.

Below are some common dental emergencies and how the patient can deal with these dental concerns.

Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)

An avulsed tooth is a true dental emergency and reason for an immediate dentist visit. Whether the tooth has been knocked out completely or substantially loosened, the impact on the tooth damages the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. However, if the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the healthy tissue will grow to support the tooth again.

How to deal with a knocked out tooth:

1. Call our office.
2. Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
3. If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
4. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out. If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort.
5. Get to our office, quickly and safely.

The best outcome is to replace the knocked out tooth back in its natural socket. Sometimes, the tooth will reattach, however if the inner mechanisms of the tooth are beyond repair, root canal therapy might be necessary.

Lost filling or crown

Most people lose a filling or crown while eating and once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be exceedingly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. In this type of dental emergency, fillings and crowns typically become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth resulting in a loose filling or crown that no longer fits.

If a filling or crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment with us as soon as possible. The loose crown should be kept in a cool, clean place. A crown that is kept safe can be reinserted in some cases. While the goal is to reattach the crown, if it is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the chance of it being put back lessens. The teeth surrounding the dental emergency such as a loose filling or crown may shift or sustain further damage if not treated.

How to deal with a loose filling or crown:

1. Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain and take a topical pain reliever.
2. Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
3. If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
4. DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.

At the dentist appointment, if the crown has been kept safe and still fits, it will be reattached to the tooth. The impacted tooth will be checked for decay, if present, it will be treated and a new crown will be made.

Cracked or broken teeth

Healthy teeth are strong teeth. However, even the best teeth are prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks. If a tooth is chipped and doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t constitute a dental emergency. Therefore, most contained fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, the pain can become extreme. There are different types of breaks that can be experienced in a dental emergency but most are generally caused by trauma, grinding, and biting. It is important to note that tooth fragments should be kept hydrated to be reattached. A fractured or cracked tooth is a cause for concern and a call to schedule an urgent dental appointment.

How to deal with a broken tooth:

1. Call our office.
2. Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
3. Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
4. Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
5. Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.
6. Take a topical pain reliever.

The mechanism of injury and timeline define the risk of associated injuries and available treatment options. The nature of the break or fracture will dictate the treatment plan for this dental emergency. If

a complete break of the tooth occurred the dentist will affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is the most effective way to retain the tooth.

Dislodged/loose teeth

Teeth can become dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma and decay. The best possible scenario for a dislodged tooth is for the dentist to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal can be avoided.

How to deal with a loose tooth

If a tooth becomes loose, call the dentist’s office immediately to make an appointment. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required. If you have questions or concerns about dental emergencies, please contact our office