Dental Emergency Information
What to do in an Emergency
Accidents and injuries happen, and when they involve your teeth, gums or jaw, the most important thing to do is to remain calm and not panic. If you are experiencing a common dental emergency like the ones listed below, you should act quickly and follow the instructions provided. If you have an emergency in the Lansing area, you can call us immediately for assistance: 517.546.8983
Toothaches
Toothaches can be caused by many different dental problems (untreated cavities, periodontal disease, etc.). If you are experiencing a painful toothache, the first thing you should do is thoroughly rinse your mouth out with warm water and gently floss around the tooth that aches to ensure that a food particle isn't causing the pain.
You can take an oral medication, such as aspirin, to limit the pain, or use a topical medication like Orajel. Never put an oral medication like Aspirin directly onto the gums because it can burn the gum tissue. If your symptoms persist, contact your dentist.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
If you experience a broken or chipped tooth, you should contact your dentist immediately to find out if you can schedule an emergency appointment. In the meantime, you can rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to minimize swelling. If you have the chipped tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.
Knocked Out Tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out, the first step is to recover the tooth and gently rinse it without removing any of the attached tissue. If at all possible, try to put the tooth back into the socket. If you can't, place it in a container filled with milk, saliva, or water and call your dentist for an emergency appointment. The faster you can get to the dentist, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Broken Jaw
If you think you or a loved one has a broken jaw, apply a cold compress immediately and call 911 so you get to the emergency room immediately.
Acute Lock
There is one exception to sudden onset issues which is directly related to the TMJ. This occurs when a patient suddenly is unable to open their mouth fully. For example, an individual could open as usual yesterday, but then this morning they can only open two fingers or less. This usually involves an acute lock of the TMJ. This is the result of the cartilage within the TMJ becoming jammed between the bones, blocking the gliding movement of the joint. This condition needs diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. A small window of opportunity of only a few weeks exists to manipulate the cartilage back into position. If this is not done in time the cartilage will slowly be torn off as the patient's ability to open slowly improves. This will permanently leave that joint without an articulating cartilage. It is therefore imperative it is attended to as quickly as possible.
If you are having a dental emergency in the Lansing area or would like more information, please contact us immediately
