First Aid Tips for Dental Emergencies Before You See a Dentist

Severe pain, a knocked-out tooth, bleeding, a chipped tooth, or a lost filling — all these problems require immediate contact with a dentist. If such a situation occurs, the very first step is to call an emergency dentist in Forest Hills, Queens. In the meantime, while you are heading to the clinic, you should do everything possible to ease the patient's condition and minimize negative consequences.

How to Handle a Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth

If a knocked-out tooth remains intact, it must be returned to its socket as quickly as possible. Only a dentist can do this, and only if no more than 30--60 minutes have passed since the injury. Therefore, the action plan is as follows:

1. Call the dentist. Inform them about the situation and request an emergency appointment.

2. Pick up the tooth. Don't touch its root. Its surface contains many living cells, so it must not be handled.

3. If the tooth became dirty during the injury, it can be rinsed with saline solution. Do not wipe it after rinsing. If saline is not available, regular milk can be used — it has an optimal pH level. Bottled or tap water must not be used, as it can cause osmotic shock to the living cells.

4. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket, gently bite on gauze, and go to the dentist.

5. If reinserting the tooth is not possible, place it inside the cheek or in a container with saline solution.

Primary tooth loss doesn't require reinsertion. Just take the child to the dentist after that. The doctor will examine and advise on what to do to help the new tooth grow healthy.

Immediate Care for Cracked or Broken Teeth

Start by collecting any large or significant fragments — with a restoration procedure, the dentist may be able to reattach them. In the meantime, take the following steps:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water.

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if the tooth is not only cracked but also painful.

• If a sharp edge has formed, cover it with gauze, a small piece of beeswax, or a piece of sugar-free chewing gum.

• If there is swelling, apply a cold compress to the cheek on the affected side.

Avoid chewing on the side where the damaged tooth is located. Also, avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods to prevent further cracking and discomfort. You will be able to enjoy your favorite treats right after your dental visit.

Managing Severe Toothaches and Swelling

A toothache is considered one of the most unpleasant pains. Even a single problematic tooth can cause the sensation that the whole jaw or head hurts, and the intensity may increase, especially at night. Pain does not occur without a reason — it is a symptom of severe inflammation and infection entering the body.

Never wait for the pain to disappear on its own. The intensity can only increase without a dentist's intervention. As soon as you feel swelling of the gums or cheek and the discomfort intensifies, head to the dentist immediately.

While waiting for your appointment, follow this plan:

• Take pain relievers if the damage affects the pulp.

• Rinse a mouth with a solution of baking soda and salt (half a teaspoon of each dissolved in a glass of warm water).

• If the pain starts in the evening or at night, lie down with your head elevated.

• Your first impulse may be to apply heat to the painful area. It is better to use a cold compress instead, because warmth accelerates inflammatory and infectious processes. Cold narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling.

• Do not place aspirin or other medications directly on the painful area. They can cause chemical burns to the gum tissue, making the pain even worse.

Attention!

If severe pain is accompanied by fever, pulsating sensations, and swelling, a dental abscess may be developing. A gum boil may form under the tissue. In such cases, seeking medical attention is urgent and cannot be delayed!

What to Do for a Lost Filling or Crown

Among all dental problems, this is the only one that requires urgency yet may be accompanied by minimal discomfort or even occur without pain. Without a filling or crown, tooth sensitivity increases, and dentin becomes more vulnerable. Food particles may also enter the cavity, causing further chipping.

Even if the tooth does not hurt when a filling falls out or a crown comes off, it is better not to delay your visit to the clinic. At this stage, the problem is cheapest and easiest to fix. If you avoid timely treatment, the procedure will become longer and more complicated. Delaying dental care can lead to a situation where the remaining enamel breaks down, eventually leading to tooth loss.

What should you do? The steps are simple:

1. Place a piece of sugar-free chewing gum into the opening left by the lost filling, or use temporary dental cement as a short-term solution. By covering the gap, you prevent food debris from entering the tooth.

2. Do not chew food on the side where the damaged tooth is located.

3. Schedule a dental appointment — do not postpone it.

When is a Dental Issue a Medical Emergency?

All dental issues are urgent, and the sooner they are treated, the better. However, some situations fall under the category of emergency care. Such cases must be handled not just quickly but immediately!

When is emergency dental care critically necessary?

• A knocked-out tooth is accompanied by bleeding that does not stop within 10--15 minutes.

• Bleeding occurs from the gums and also does not stop.

• A toothache is accompanied by a high fever (above 38.5°C).

• A severe jaw injury occurs, and a fracture is suspected. In such cases, dentists work together with oral and maxillofacial surgeons and trauma specialists.

• Soft tissues of the mouth swell severely, making it difficult to swallow or even breathe.

In all the situations listed, call the nearest emergency service or dental clinic. Do this immediately — do not wait until morning or Monday. Be sure to describe the problem. While the patient is being transported to the clinic, the staff will have time to prepare everything necessary to provide urgent care upon arrival.