Blog Layout

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Michael Wahl • Dec 18, 2019

Many medical offices reduce their hours over the holidays or may even close for several days. If you’re celebrating the holidays and have a dental emergency, don’t let it derail your celebration. Here’s how to handle a dental emergency on your own before you can get in to see a dentist.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation where you experience trauma or significant pain in your mouth. This includes lost, broken, loose, or cracked teeth or fillings, injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth, or pain and swelling in your mouth.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

Lost or Loose Tooth

  • Find your tooth, handling it only by the crown (top) not the sensitive roots.
  • Clean your mouth and the tooth gently with warm water.
  • Try to place the tooth back in your mouth, or reposition it.
  • Teeth that won’t go back in should be stored in milk, not tap water.
  • Visit a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes.

Broken or Damaged Tooth or Filling

  • Locate any missing pieces
  • Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
  • Apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling
  • Schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as is reasonably possible

Injured Soft Tissues

  • Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
  • Apply a clean piece of gauze to any bleeding wounds
  • If you have a significantly deep wound, especially if the wound goes completely through a lip or tongue, visit your local urgent care for wound care treatment.
  • Chew soft foods gently and drink plenty of clear fluids.

Unexplained Pain

  • Rinse and brush gently to try and locate the source of the pain.
  • Contact a dentist and go in as soon as is reasonable to identify and solve the issue.

Contact Your Dentist ASAP

Most dental emergencies will need to be resolved by a dentist. While the ER can treat symptoms or soft tissue wounds, they can’t handle tooth issues. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swelling in your neck visit the ER immediately for help breathing, but schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Many dental offices have options for after hours care in the case of a dental emergency. At West One Family Dental if you call after our normal hours you have the option of paging Dr. Wahl if you have a dental emergency. Dr. Wahl treats patients and visitors to Colorado Springs during dental emergencies, even after regular hours.

How to Manage The Pain

Consider this blog post for managing your pain until your appointment. If you have a wound that is bleeding, avoid Aspirin which is an anticoagulant and could increase how much you bleed. If you decide to take an over-the-counter medication stick with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen.

 

Visiting Colorado Springs and have a dental emergency? Please reach out to our office at 719-633-8766. We would be happy to help! Happy Holidays from all of use here at West One Family Dental!

 

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • 01 Sep, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • 25 Aug, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • 18 Aug, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • 11 Aug, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • 28 Jul, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • 21 Jul, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • 14 Jul, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • 07 Jul, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • 01 Jul, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • 23 Jun, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
More Posts
Share by: