Dental Emergency Answers

What if you develop a severe toothache after office hours?

If you develop a severe toothache when our office is closed, call our after-hours receptionist. She will track us down, and then we can often determine the problem over the phone and prescribe medication to control pain until treatment. If you are not able to contact us and you are having a problem, go to your local hospital emergency room.

If a pain in a tooth goes away, should you still see a dentist?

Either minor or severe pain that goes away may indicate that you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth hurts because the pulp, the soft inner tissue of the tooth, is irritated. If treatment is delayed, the tooth may split and be more difficult to treat successfully. The sudden absence of pain also may be a sign that the nerves of the tooth have died. It might also be due to a chronic infection that is draining. Even if the pain stops, if the pulp is damaged or diseased, the pain will likely return and the tooth will require treatment. It is important for us to see you.

After a traumatic injury, if teeth aren’t chipped or broken but there’s bleeding in the gums, is dental care necessary?

It’s not always easy for people to tell when to seek a dental evaluation. However, if the gums bleed, it’s important to see us because the trauma may have caused damage. The tooth may have been “jammed” into the socket and severe problems could develop. Prompt treatment often prevents more serious problems or complications from developing later. A tooth can develop problems long after the injury, so it’s very important to be checked.

What might be the cause of a dull ache in your upper teeth and cheek?

It can indicate several conditions. It could be associated with a tooth or gum problem, bruxism (grinding teeth), TMD (temporomandibular disorder), a sinus infection, headache, or salivary gland infection. Check with us first, and if it’s not related to a dental condition, you will be referred to a physician. The problem may be caused by a medical disorder. For instance, sinus pain is sometimes mistaken for tooth pain because of the close proximity of the sinus cavity to the upper jaw.

What should you do when you have a toothache?

Clean your mouth by rinsing with warm water and remove any food that is trapped between teeth with dental floss. Do not apply aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See us as soon as possible.

Why do toothaches seem to hurt more at night?

Some patients report toothaches hurt more at night. This is because the blood goes to your head when you lie down. If you notice discomfort, try elevating your head to help to ease the pain. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and call us.

What are some examples of dental-related sports injuries?

Some examples of dental emergencies are avulsed teeth, extruded teeth, broken teeth, a bitten tongue or lip, objects that are caught between teeth, toothaches, facial fractures, and possible broken jaw.

What are avulsed teeth?

Avulsed teeth are teeth that are knocked out.

What should you do if your tooth is knocked out?

If your tooth is knocked out, you should carefully rinse the tooth with water. You should attempt to place the tooth back in its socket and secure it with a wet wrap. If you cannot place the tooth back in its socket, put it in a glass with either saliva or milk. Then you should contact us so you can be seen immediately.

What are extruded teeth?

Extruded teeth are teeth that are forced out of position.

What is the treatment for a broken tooth?

Rinse the mouth with warm water. Try to remove any dirt, blood, or debris from the injured area using sterilized gauze or a clean cloth and warm water. Apply cold compresses on the face next to the injured tooth to reduce swelling. Cover the tooth with cotton or gauze if the rough edges are cutting you or if it is sensitive to air, and see us immediately.

What should you do if your tooth is pushed out of position?

If your tooth is pushed out of place, you should reposition it to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure. You should hold the tooth in place with a moist gauze or tissue. Make sure that we see you ideally within a half-hour.

How would you treat a bitten tongue or lip?

To treat a bitten tongue or lip, you should gently clean the area with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding continues, go to the hospital emergency room.

What do you do if you have something caught between your teeth?

If you have an object caught between your teeth, you should try to remove it gently with dental floss. Sometimes it helps to double up the floss. Do not attempt to remove the object with a sharp or pointed device. If you still cannot remove the object, see us.

What causes a constant throbbing pain in your jaw or tooth?

A throbbing pain is usually a symptom of two different causes: either the nerve inside the tooth or the ligament around the tooth is damaged, irritated, or inflamed. A cavity, traumatic injury, or another factor can damage or irritate the pulp inside the tooth. Severe gum disease affecting the ligament that surrounds and cushions the tooth roots can result in throbbing pain. An erupting tooth, including a third molar or wisdom tooth and TMD, are also potential sources of throbbing pain.

What should you do if you have a possible broken jaw?

If there is a possibility that you have a broken jaw, you should not move the jaw. Tie a towel around the jaw and over the top of the head to secure it. Apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling. Go see us or go to the emergency room immediately.

What is considered to be a minor tooth fracture?

A minor fracture is considered to be a tooth broken in the hard outer enamel part only.

How do you treat a minor tooth fracture?

We can smooth a minor fracture with a sandpaper disc or just leave it alone. You can also restore the tooth with a composite restoration if necessary.

What do you consider to be a moderate tooth fracture?

A moderate fracture is considered to be damage to the enamel, dentin, and/or pulp of the tooth.

How do you treat a moderate tooth fracture?

A moderate fracture can be restored with a full permanent crown if the pulp is not permanently damaged. Sometimes, an onlay or bonding will be appropriate as well. Occasionally, root canal treatment (endodontics) may be required.