Emergency Dental Care

Home Care for Dental Emergencies

• What if my tooth gets knocked out?

  • Pick up the tooth by the top (crown), NOT by the root—do not touch the root.
  • Rinse the tooth very gently with only water, no soaps or chemicals. Do NOT scrub the tooth.
  • If possible, place the tooth back into the socket. Gently push it in with your fingers then hold it in place while trying to bite down.
  • If you can’t place the tooth back into the socket, put it in a container with milk.
  • Contact your dentist right away—the faster you act, the more likely it is that your tooth will be able to be reimplanted.
• What if my tooth is loose but still attached?

  If you have a loose tooth or a tooth out of alignment, contact us right away to get an appointment setup as soon as possible. You can try to put the tooth back in its original position by very gently positioning the tooth with your fingers—do not force it. We will advise on if there is anything else you should do in the meantime, prior to your appointment.

• What if I have a chipped or cracked tooth?

  If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, contact your dentist right away. Chipped teeth that aren’t painful can usually be smoothed out or filled in at a regular dental appointment. A cracked tooth typically indicates that there’s damage to the inside of the tooth, as well as the outside. If your tooth is cracked please follow these steps, after contacting your dentist.

• How do I minimize tooth ache pain at home?

  If you’re hoping to minimize pain from a toothache, you can try the following home remedies:

  • • Saline rinse. Mix 1/2 tsp salt in a glass of warm water, rinse and gargle the mixture, then use mouthwash.
    • Apply a cold compress on/near the area of pain.
    • Use over-the-counter medication to reduce inflammation and pain.
    • Teabags. Apply a cold or warm tea bag to your tooth–but tea can stain so don’t use this method too often.

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