A knocked-out adult tooth
Keep the tooth moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that is not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, in milk, or in a tooth preservation product that carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then get to your dentist's office right away. Time matters, and knowing what to do can make the difference between saving and losing the tooth.
A cracked tooth
Rinse your mouth immediately with warm water to clean the area, and put cold compresses on your face to keep any swelling down. Then call your dentist as soon as you can and describe the crack. Your dentist can tell you whether a filling, a crown or a root canal is the right repair. See fillings, crowns and root canals for what each involves.
A toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out and gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or the gum tissues. If the pain continues, or you also have swelling in the mouth, face or neck, contact your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.
A bitten tongue or lip, or an object stuck in the mouth
If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. If something is stuck in your mouth, try to remove it gently with floss, and do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.
Calling the dentist
When you have a dental emergency, visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible. Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients, so call and provide as much detail as you can about your condition. Many offices also make arrangements with a colleague or an emergency referral service for emergencies outside office hours, so ask what the plan is when you choose an office. Jain Dental, All Care Dentistry, Dentistry by Brian Weber and Ruby Dental include emergency dental service among their services. Find them and others in the directory of St. Louis Park dentists. If an injury is severe, if you cannot control bleeding or if you have trouble breathing, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
Preventing dental injuries
Wear a mouthguard when you play sports or do recreational activities. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. Use scissors, never your teeth, to cut things.
Common questions
What should I do if a permanent tooth is knocked out?
Keep it moist, try placing it back in the socket without touching the root, or store it in milk or an ADA-accepted tooth preservation product, and go to a dentist right away.
Should I put aspirin on a sore tooth?
No. The ADA advises against putting aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
Will a dentist see me the same day?
Most dentists reserve time for emergency patients. Call and describe your condition in detail.
What if it happens at night or on a weekend?
Ask your dentist's office what its after-hours arrangement is, or go to an emergency room.
How can I prevent a broken tooth?
Wear a mouthguard for sports, avoid chewing ice and hard candy and never use your teeth as tools.