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Common Dental Emergencies

Tooth Pain

Use warm water to rinse out your mouth, and remove any particles around the tooth with dental floss. Do not put a pain reliever directly on your tooth, however clove oil may be placed on the tooth temporarily. Also, if you keep your mouth closed, the pain will not be as intense because cold air will not get to the tooth. If the pain is severe, see your dentist.

Knocked-out tooth

First, find the tooth. Use a compress (a clean gauze or cotton cloth applied with mild pressure) to stop the bleeding. Holding the tooth by the crown (the white part you normally see), gently rinse the tooth with water if it is visibly dirty. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue fragments. Replace the tooth in its socket if you can; otherwise place it in a cup of milk. Visit your dentist immediately with the tooth.

Object lodged between teeth

Use dental floss and attempt to take it out gently. Never use a sharp object to remove anything from between your teeth. If this technique doesn't work, see your dentist as soon as possible.

Bitten lip or tongue

Use a cloth to clean the area around the bite and cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding persists, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.

Broken tooth and swollen jaw

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the broken tooth, and use cold compresses to reduce the swelling. Contact your dentist.

Broken jaw

Cold compresses will ease the swelling, but if you think your jaw is broken, you should go to your hospital's emergency room or your dentist's office immediately.

How can I reduce the cost of dental treatment?

Without a dental plan, dental treatment can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Proper dental care is vital, however, and can even affect your medical health. It should not be ignored. If you believe you will soon need a dental procedure, you may want to consider a dental plan to help reduce your costs.