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Dental emergencies can happen at any time. In fact, the 4th most common cause of emergency room visits is dental trauma. If you've experienced a dental emergency, we recommend calling our office as soon as possible. Our emergency dentists can help treat any dental injury, discomfort, or pain.

What are dental emergencies?

Dental emergencies are conditions that have the potential to cause severe discomfort, pain, and even tooth loss. If left untreated, dental emergencies can lead to serious health complications.

Common dental emergencies

Dental emergencies include injuries to the soft tissues (gums and lips and injuries to the protective outer layer of teeth (enamel). Here are some of the most common dental emergencies:

• Broken tooth
• Chipped tooth
• Toothache
• Abscess
• Traumatic injury
• Fractured jaw
• Knocked-out tooth
• Tooth displacement

How to prevent dental emergencies?

One of the best things you can do to prevent dental emergencies is to keep up with your oral hygiene routine, eat a healthy diet, and visit your dentist regularly. Oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease can lead to complications if not treated promptly. And if left untreated, it could also lead to tooth loss. Also, ensure that you wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports. 

What to do in the event of a dental emergency?

• Knocked out tooth

If your tooth is knocked out, don't panic. Find the tooth, rinse it with water, and put the tooth back in the socket. Hold the tooth in place with a washcloth or gauze. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a glass of milk. Milk contains calcium, which helps preserve teeth.

• Bitten lip or tongue

What you should do if you bite your lip or tongue:

1. Until you can be seen by a dentist, apply ice to the painful area. This will decrease the swelling.
2. If there is bleeding, place a piece of gauze or a teabag with ice directly over the bleeding site. Hold it in place by biting down.
3. If your tongue has been bitten, gently rinse it with warm water. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• Broken braces or wires

If you have a dental emergency resulting from broken braces or wires, call your dentist immediately. If the emergency is due to a broken wire, you may be able to temporarily alleviate the pain by cutting the wire with sterilized nail clippers. If the emergency is due to a broken bracket or band, you may be able to temporarily alleviate the pain by covering it with orthodontic wax.

• Cut or bitten tongue, lip, or cheek

If you've bitten your tongue or lip, clean the area with warm water and apply cold compresses. If bleeding doesn't stop after 20 minutes, or if you have a bitten cheek, head to the nearest emergency room.

If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply cold compresses to the outside of the mouth. Call your dentist's office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

• Objects caught between teeth

If you have an object caught between your teeth, push it out gently with clean hands. Avoid using sharp or pointed objects, and never use your teeth. If you are unable to remove the object, contact us as soon as possible. 

Call Dr. Ronald F. Jacob, DMD, at (386) 445-6111, in the event of a dental emergency. We are located at 17 Old King's Road N, Palm Coast, FL 32137.