Dental emergencies come in various forms and can sometimes prove potentially dangerous. They are often characterized by throbbing or sharp pain in the gum, jaw, or tooth/teeth. The pain usually is caused by infection and if not treated it may result in swelling and unbearable pain. At South Star Family Dental, we are committed to provide prompt treatment for any dental emergency. The following are some common dental emergencies and how to handle them.

Please call us as soon as you have the first symptoms of dental pain. It is easier and cheaper to treat dental or gum problems if they are detected early. You don't want to wait until you need a root canal or extraction. We will make every effort to see you for your emergency visit shortly after your phone call. Meanwhile, you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, but do not put the pills on your sore tooth. You can also use an ice pack against your face at the spot of the sore tooth. Remember, do not put a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or any other source of heat on your jaw. Heat will make things worse instead of better.

Broken teeth can almost always be saved. Call us to make an appointment right away. If it's a small break, we might be able to simply use a white filling to fix the tooth. If the break is serious, a root canal may be needed. Your tooth may also need a crown (also called a cap).

Please call us right away for instructions and immediate emergency appointment. If the knocked-out tooth is an adult tooth, we may be able to put it back. You must act quickly. If the tooth is put back in place within 10 minutes, it has a fair chance of taking root again. After 2 hours, the chances are poor.

If the tooth looks clean, you can put it back in its place (its socket). If this is not possible, or if there's a chance that the tooth might be swallowed, put it in a container of cold milk and bring it with you to our office. You could alternatively use saline solution, or wrap the tooth in a cold, clean wet cloth.

If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the part of the mouth that is bleeding. Always use a clean cloth to do this. If the lip is swollen, use an ice pack to keep the swelling down. If the bleeding does not stop, go to Emergency at a hospital right away.

This is very common with eating popcorn as kernels can get stuck between your teeth or in your gums. First, you should try to use dental floss to gently remove the object. Never poke with a sharp object as it can cut your gums or scratch the tooth surface. If you cannot get the object out, please call us to help you.

It is the best to come for an emergency visit as soon as possible before the nerve becomes irritated and sensitive. If you can not see us right away, you can put a piece of softened sugarless chewing gum in the spot where the filling was lost. This will protect the area for a short period of time.