Dental emergencies can happen fast—a slip on the stairs splitting your lip, a rogue almond cracking your tooth, or a surprise elbow during a weekend game that knocks out a tooth. But when dental emergencies do happen, knowing what to do in the moment can make all the difference between saving a tooth and saying goodbye to it. Here are our top 10 tooth-saving tips from your friends at Bryant Family Dentistry.
1. Stay Calm
Panicking won’t help, but slow, calm breathing will. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. A clear head leads to better decisions.
2. Call Us Right Away
Time is critical. Give Bryant Family Dentistry a call as soon as the emergency happens. We’ll talk you through first aid and get you seen ASAP.
3. If a Tooth Gets Knocked Out, Handle It Gently
Pick the tooth up by the top part called the “crown.” The crown is the part of the tooth that’s visible above the gums. Also, please do not touch the tooth’s root, which is the part of the tooth that sits below the gums. The root has delicate cells needed for reattachment and touching them can damage the cells.
4. Rinse, But Don’t Scrub
If the tooth is dirty, we recommend gently rinsing it with lukewarm water, milk, or saline solution. Please avoid using soap or scrubbing the root because it can damage the tooth further.
5. Try to Reinsert the Tooth
If it’s a permanent (adult) tooth, carefully place it back into the socket and gently bite down on a clean cloth. If that’s not possible, store it in milk or saline until you get to the dentist. Keeping the tooth moist is essential because it keeps the tooth alive.
6. Control Bleeding
Use sterile gauze or a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure if there’s bleeding. This also helps with swelling and pain.
7. Apply a Cold Compress
Using a cold compress can help reduce swelling and numb the area. You can place the cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
8. Save Broken Pieces
If a tooth cracks or chips, collect any pieces you can find. Bring them to your appointment because we may be able to bond them back in place. If this isn’t possible, we have various restorative solutions customized just for you.
9. Avoid Painkillers on the Gums
Don’t place aspirin directly on the gums as it can cause burns. Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed.
10. Follow Up
Even if the pain fades, always follow up with your dentist. There may be underlying issues you can’t see, and we are here to help you restore your smile to its optimal health.
Call Our Emergency Dentists in Knoxville, TN
Need emergency dental care in Knoxville? Call Bryant Family Dentistry today! We’re here to help when your smile needs us most.
We welcome patients of all ages from Knoxville, East Knoxville, West Knoxville, Kingsley Station, Asbury, and beyond.
To get started please give us a call at (865) 693-7631