Dental Emergency Procedures

You may encounter problems with your teeth and mouth. The information below will help you determine the action you should take. Some dental problems are emergencies, requiring immediate attention; others are less urgent. All of these situations require that you see your dentist soon, if not immediately.

Tooth Knocked Out

1. This is a dental emergency. See a dentist as soon as possible. Call 867-873-2775 during the day or, after hours, call our Emergency Care Line at 867-873-1250.
2. Try to put the tooth back in place or hold it between the lip and the teeth. Contact a dentist.
3. If you cannot hold the tooth in place, keep the tooth in a container of milk. If milk isn't available, use water. Do not handle the tooth unnecessarily.

Acute Jaw Injury

If you cannot move your jaw, or it hurts when you close your mouth normally, your jaw may be broken, fractured or dislocated. Go to the closest hospital emergency room and contact your dentist.

Toothache

There are many possible reasons for a toothache—do not ignore tooth pain. It will often worsen and become more difficult to treat.

1. See your dentist as soon as possible.
2. Tylenol or aspirin may alleviate pain.
3. Do not use ice.
4. Do not place aspirin on the tooth.

Broken Tooth

Broken or fractured teeth range from mild to severe.

Minor Fracture

1. This is not an emergency. Make a dental appointment, as your dentists can smooth the damage.

Moderate Fracture

This includes damage to enamel, dentin and pulp.

1. See your dentist as soon as possible.
2. Place a piece of soft wax on the damaged tooth.

Severe Fracture

1. This is a dental emergency. See a dentist as soon as possible. Call 867-873-2775 during the day or, after hours, call our Emergency Care Line at 867-873-1250.
2. If you can apply soft wax, do so.

Mouth Sores

This is not an emergency.

1. Apply an over-the-counter treatment such as Orajel, or ask your pharmacist for an appropriate product.
2. If sores persist, see your dentist.

Broken Braces or Wires

1. If you can easily remove the appliance, remove it.
2. If you cannot remove the appliance easily, cover any sharp or protruding pieces with ortho wax; don't try to remove it.
3. See your dentist soon, but this is not an emergency.

Broken Dental Appliance

This is not an emergency.

1. Bring all pieces with you when you see the dentist as soon as you can.
2. Do not attempt to glue the appliance together.