A tooth injury rarely comes at a convenient time. It’s a softball to the mouth or a fall on an icy driveway in January. What you do in the first hour can decide whether a damaged tooth can be saved. At All Smiles Dental in Burley, Dr. Spencer Rice treats injured teeth for families across the Mini-Cassia area. Here’s what to do before you reach the office.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any injury or problem that needs care within hours rather than days to save a tooth, stop bleeding, or control pain and infection. A knocked-out adult tooth, a tooth broken badly enough to expose the pink center, a tooth pushed out of position, and severe pain with swelling all qualify.
A small chip with no pain or a lost filling that doesn’t hurt can usually wait a day or two for a regular appointment. When you’re not sure, call and describe what happened.
When should you go to the emergency room instead of the dentist?
Go to a hospital emergency room if you suspect a broken jaw, if facial swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, if you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing, or if bleeding hasn’t stopped after 15 to 20 minutes of steady pressure. Once you’re stable, a dentist can treat the tooth itself.
What should you do if a permanent tooth gets knocked out?
Act quickly and keep the tooth moist, because a knocked-out adult tooth has the best chance of survival when it’s back in place within 30 to 60 minutes, according to Cleveland Clinic. The root surface is covered in living cells that begin to die once they dry out.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you chew with, and avoid touching the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Don’t scrub it, dry it, or wrap it in a tissue.
- Try to gently push it back into the socket, facing the right way, then bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If it won’t go back in, store it in a small container of milk or tuck it inside your cheek. Milk protects the root cells far better than plain water.
Then get to a dentist right away and bring the tooth with you.
What if it’s a baby tooth?
Don’t try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. Replanting it can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Keep the tooth, rinse your child’s mouth, and call your dentist so the area can be checked.
What should you do if a tooth is chipped, cracked, or broken?
Rinse your mouth with warm water and hold a cold compress against your cheek to limit swelling, which is the same first aid the American Dental Association recommends. If you find the broken piece, wrap it in wet gauze or place it in milk and bring it along. Chew on the other side until the tooth is examined.
Treatment depends on how deep the break goes. A small chip can often be repaired with a tooth-colored composite filling. A larger break may need a crown to protect what’s left. If the crack reaches the pulp, the soft inner tissue that holds the nerve, a root canal may be needed to save the tooth. Cracks don’t heal on their own, so even a painless one is worth having checked.
What if a tooth is loose or pushed out of place?
A tooth that’s been knocked, crooked, pushed up into the gum, or loosened by a hit needs to be seen the same day. Don’t try to force it back into position yourself. Bite down gently on a clean cloth to keep it steady, avoid chewing with it, and call the office.
How do you handle a bitten lip, tongue, or bleeding gums?
Clean the area gently with water, then press a damp piece of gauze against the bleeding spot for 15 to 20 minutes. A cold compress outside the mouth helps with swelling and soreness. If the bleeding keeps going after steady pressure, go to the emergency room.
How can All Smiles Dental help after a tooth injury?
Dr. Rice will examine the injury, take X-rays to check the root and surrounding bone, and explain your options before starting treatment. Depending on the damage, that might mean bonding, a crown, a root canal, or, when a tooth can’t be saved, an extraction followed by a dental implant or bridge. If you or your child plays contact sports, a mouthguard is one of the simplest ways to prevent the next injury.
Getting help from All Smiles Dental
When a tooth gets injured, handle it gently, keep it moist, control any bleeding, and get to a dentist quickly. If you’re dealing with a dental injury in Burley or the surrounding area, contact All Smiles Dental on East 5th Street North so Dr. Rice and our team can help you save your smile.
