How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

John Adams • December 30, 2017

Fast action could save your tooth during a dental emergency. You should immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist, and use the following tips to handle a dental emergency until you can see a professional:

A Broken Tooth
When you chip or break a tooth, it is important to hold on to all of the pieces. Gently rinse your mouth with warm water and feel for additional pieces of the tooth. If you are bleeding, place some gauze over the affected area. You can prevent swelling by placing an ice pack or a cool compress against your cheek near the broken tooth. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can to get the oral care that you need.

A Lost Tooth
If your tooth falls out completely, pick it up by the crown and gently rinse it off. You may try carefully placing the tooth back in its socket, if possible. If replacing the tooth is too painful, put the tooth into either a cup of milk or a cup of water with a pinch of salt until you can make an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you can see your oral health professional, the better chance you have of saving the tooth.

An Abscess
If not properly cared for, infections in the mouth can spread quickly. An abscess is an infection near a tooth root that causes extreme pain. Without the proper dental care, this infection could even spread to other parts of the body. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you possibly can. Rinse your mouth with some salt water throughout the day to minimize pain and try to prevent the infection from spreading.

If you have a dental emergency, there is no dental office more reliable than Hallamark Dental. Our dental team does everything we can to keep all of our customers comfortable while we provide top oral care. To learn more about our services, visit us online or call 978.490.3092 .

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