Emergency Tooth Extraction

Dental emergencies can arise in the blink of an eye and it is important to know what to do and to get to your dentist quickly! In some instances, trauma or an accident can cause a patient to require an emergency tooth extraction. Here, we are going to review dental first aid and emergency dental care so that you can be educated and know what to do if a dental emergency arises.

Dental First Aid

As with any emergency, it is first and foremost extremely important to remain as calm as possible so that you can administer first aid to yourself, your child, or a friend or family member when faced with a dental emergency.

Anti-inflammatory pain medication such as Advil and ibuprofen are usually more effective at relieving dental pain than other medications like Tylenol. If you cannot take an NSAID like ibuprofen, Tylenol is definitely better than nothing! Here is a list of first aid treatments for different dental problems:

• Swelling: to reduce inflammation, hold a cold compress on the area; take a dose of an NSAID if you are able
• Bleeding: with gentle pressure, keep a clean, damp cloth over the area until bleeding subsides; if the bleeding will not stop, visit urgent care or the emergency room
• Lost dental restorations: it is ideal to have a filling or a crown replaced within 24 hours even if you do not have any pain or sensitivity to avoid fracturing the tooth; denture adhesive can be used to temporarily hold a crown or bridge in place
• Lost tooth: rinse your mouth and the tooth with warm water, taking care to never touch the root; try to put it back into the socket; if you are unable, place the tooth in a cup of milk and get to your dentist as soon as possible

Emergency Dental Care

Dental offices usually keep time in their daily schedule set aside for dental emergencies. If you find yourself requiring emergency care, call your dentist to see if they can get you in for an emergency visit. Sometimes, your dentist may be able to resolve your problem in one visit and others may require another visit at an appointment specifically scheduled for treatment.

Your dentist may be able to remedy a dental emergency by providing treatment via one of the following:

• Medication: antibiotics may be prescribed to treat possible infection or abscess; if the medication does not help, you may require treatment from a specialist
• Composite bonding: a chipped tooth is usually a quick fix with bonding; please be aware that a chipped front tooth is likely to chip again, though some patients are able to keep bonding in place for years
• Extractions: a tooth that has been deemed hopeless will require extraction; there are a number of options for replacing an extracted tooth which your dentist will discuss with you

More information on Tooth Extractions : Healing After Tooth Extractions