DENTAL EMERGENCY

Below, we’ve outlined guidelines on how to handle common oral injuries and discomforts, and when emergency dental care is necessary.

• Toothache: See your Dr. Luff as soon as you feel discomfort or pain.
• Broken, chipped or cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face. Go to the dentist right away. If the tooth was broken or chipped, bring the tooth fragment wrapped in wet gauze or a wet towel.
• Loosened or knocked-out tooth: If your tooth becomes loose due to trauma, call your dentist. For a knocked out tooth, gently insert the lost tooth back in its socket if possible, holding the tooth by the crown using a clean washcloth. If the tooth is dirty, first rinse the root, but do not scrub it or remove any attached tissues. If reinsertion is not possible, hold the tooth under the tongue and go to the dentist immediately.
• Bitten Tongue or Lip: Clean the area with a wet cloth and place a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling. If the bleeding persists or if it is excessive, go to your dentist or an emergency center.

What do I do if I have a broken or chipped tooth?

If you chip, fracture, or break one of your teeth, contact Luff Dental to schedule an emergency dental appointment.

In the meantime, rinse your mouth with salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to 8 ounces water), take an over-the-counter painkiller if the tooth is painful, and avoid biting down on the broken tooth. If the break has created a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with a piece of wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to protect your tongue or the inside of your cheek/lip.

What should I do for a knocked-out tooth?

Teeth knocked out due to injury or accident are not necessarily gone for good, if you act quickly. Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root) and rinse it off with water. Reposition the tooth in the socket, if possible, and hold it in place by gently biting down. If the tooth can’t be replaced in the socket, put it in milk or in your mouth next to your cheek. Contact Luff Dental as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence, the faster you’re seen, the better opportunity we have to save your tooth.

How to relieve a toothache?

When you’re suffering from a toothache, finding relief is your first priority. Start by scheduling an emergency dental appointment. One of the best things you can do is rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, but make sure not to swallow. Also gently floss around the sore tooth to remove any food particles. Over-the-counter painkillers can help, as can applying a cold compress or ice to the affected area.

Here are some signs that your toothache may require emergency dental care:

• Dental pain that is not alleviated with over-the-counter medication
• Significant bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw or face
• High fever or chills
• Jaw pain, difficulty biting, or a popping sensation when you chew

Dental problems don’t always happen during normal office hours, and not all dental conditions warrant emergency dental care. Take a look below to see if your condition requires an emergency dental appointment.

Emergency dentistry is required for:

• Extreme dental pain
• Injury or trauma to the mouth
• Tooth loss caused by an accident or trauma
• Significant bleeding that won’t stop

If you believe you’re experiencing a dental emergency, contact Luff Dental right away at Lee’s Summit MO!

See a dentist within 24 hours:

• Cracked or fractured tooth
• Tooth infection or abscess
• A tooth has been knocked out of alignment
• Severe pain, swelling, or bleeding that occurs soon after a recent dental procedure
• A dental appliance is preventing you from opening/closing your mouth or is causing severe pain

Get treatment within 24-72 hours:

• Loose/lost dental filling, crown, or dental veneer
• Loose/detached orthodontic appliance or dental implant
• Chipped tooth
• Significant impact to the teeth, even if no pain is present

If you believe you’re experiencing a dental emergency, contact Luff Dental right away!