When a dental emergency occurs, you don’t have time to panic. You don’t have time to hang out on the internet researching the best course of action.

You should hope an emergency never happens to you or a member of your family, but you should be prepared in case one does.

Part of being prepared and ready to go is knowing whom to call. At Edgewood Dental Care, we can give you a same-day appointment to get you taken care of quickly. We also offer long hours — 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on weekdays — and are open on Saturdays.

If you live in the Edgewood, KY area, you can rely on us to handle your dental emergencies. Keep our number handy: 859-474-7830.

Types of Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies come in a variety of flavors, but they all have one thing in common: they must be treated as soon as possible. Here are a few common dental emergency situations, and how you should handle them (along with calling Edgewood Dental Care to book your emergency appointment, of course).

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth is knocked cleanly out of your mouth and remains intact, save it. Under the right conditions, we may be able to put it back where it belongs. You may gently rinse dirt away dirt, but do not touch the tooth root. It’s important to keep the tooth moist. If possible, place it back (facing the right way) into its socket. Or store it between your cheek and gum. If you don’t think you will be able to do this safely, store it in a small container of milk or water.

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Cracked or broken teeth may or may not be painful, but they put you at risk for infection (bacteria may enter the tooth through any opening). If pieces come off, save them. Gently rinse your mouth with warm water. Bleeding may be controlled with gauze or a dampened tea bag. If the area is swollen and/or painful, a cold compress may help.

Tooth Abscess

Severe pain or a pus-filled pimple on the gum may signify an abscess, an infection around the tooth root. An abscess must be treated in a timely manner to relieve pain, prevent tooth and gum damage, and keep the infection from spreading. Rinsing your mouth with a salt-water solution throughout the day can help with pain and bring the pus to the surface.

Lost Filling or Crown

If your filling comes out, sugarless gum can be placed into the cavity until you get in to see us. It’s important that the gum is sugar-free! You may also use dental cement (available over the counter at drugstores) if you have it on hand.

If a crown falls off, save it if at all possible. Clove oil dabbed onto sensitive areas with a cotton swab can help relieve pain. If possible, place the crown back over the tooth, adhering it with dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive.

Orthodontic Emergencies

If a wire from your braces breaks and is painfully poking the soft tissues of your mouth, you can attempt to move it into a less painful place with the eraser end of a pencil. If that’s not possible, use orthodontic wax, a cotton ball, or a bit of gauze to cushion the end of the wire.

A loose bracket may be temporarily affixed to its proper place with a little orthodontic wax.

DIY Dental Emergency Kit

It’s not a bad idea to assemble a little first-aid kit for your teeth. This way, you can be sure to  have all necessary supplies on hand and in one place if a dental emergency strikes. Your kit should include:

  • Sterile gauze and a tea bag (to control bleeding)
  • Toothbrush, dental floss, toothpicks, tweezers
  • Clove oil (and cotton swabs for application) for pain relief
  • Over the counter pain meds, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen
  • An ice pack
  • Dental wax — protects your delicate cheeks, gums, and lips from loose braces wires or the sharp edges of a chipped tooth
  • Temporary crown and filling material — used to fill cavities or keep a crown in place until you get into see us
  • A small container with cover to store a knocked-out tooth or broken-off pieces
  • Dental mirror
  • Flashlight
  • Medical-grade examination gloves

In the case of a dental emergency, you know whom to call: Edgewood Dental Care of Edgewood, KY. Call our office for a same-day appointment at 859-474-7830. We also have a handy online contact form, but that’s best reserved for non-urgent situations.