What to do in the event of an oral emergency

For many oral emergencies, prompt care is vital for achieving the best treatment results. Don’t hesitate to contact your dentist or oral surgeon’s helpline to discuss your situation

Knocked out tooth

If an adult tooth is knocked out completely, try to carefully place the tooth back into the socket and seek help immediately. If you cannot get the tooth back into place, then put it into a glass of milk or, if milk is not available, salt water. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Oral infections

If you are experiencing pain, swelling, severe redness/tenderness, or a bad odor coming from your mouth, you may be looking at an emergency. Oral infections can progress very quickly, causing damage to teeth and other oral structures. Left untreated, the infection can spread elsewhere in the body.

Facial fractures

Trauma to the face significant enough to warrant the concern of facial fractures should be treated as an emergency. If you do require surgical stabilization, the sooner bones are set the faster and better they will heal.

Complications from a previous oral surgery

If you are experiencing severe discomfort, bleeding that won’t stop, or other complications from a recent oral surgery, be sure to call the office immediately to discuss your concerns. You may be offered advice over the phone or be instructed to come in for an evaluation and treatment.

Play it safe

If you’re unsure whether your oral health concern constitutes an emergency, remember that there’s no harm in calling to ask. It’s better to speak with a professional than to put off urgent care and worsen your condition.