Dental Emergency Guide
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. If you have a broken tooth, severe pain, or swelling, call us at [(407) 767-0633] (tel:+14077670633) as soon as you can. We see dental emergencies and will do our best to get you in promptly.
Here's what to do while you're waiting to be seen.
Go to the emergency room first if you have:
Swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck
Trouble breathing or swallowing
A high fever along with facial swelling
Bleeding that won't slow down with steady pressure
A jaw or head injury
These can be signs of a serious infection or injury that needs hospital care right away.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water.
Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food.
Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label.
Don't put aspirin directly on your gums. It can burn the tissue.
Call us if the pain lasts more than a day or two, or if you notice swelling or a fever.
Chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water.
Save any pieces of the tooth in a clean container.
Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Avoid chewing on that side.
If there's a sharp edge, cover it with sugarless gum or dental wax from the pharmacy.
Knocked-out adult tooth
Time matters here. A tooth has the best chance of being saved if you see a dentist within about an hour.
Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing part), not the root.
If it's dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Don't scrub it.
If you can, gently place it back in the socket and bite down on gauze or a clean cloth.
If that isn't possible, keep the tooth in a small container of milk.
Call us right away.
**For a knocked-out baby tooth, don't try to put it back. Call us so we can check the area.**
Lost filling or crown
Keep the crown if you have it. Pharmacy dental cement can hold it in place temporarily. Never use household glue. Call us to have it properly repaired.
Signs of a dental abscess
A pimple-like bump on the gum, a bad taste, throbbing pain, or swelling can mean an infection. Even if the pain goes away, the infection doesn't. It needs treatment before it spreads.
If our office is closed
If you have any of the emergency room warning signs above, go to the nearest emergency room. For everything else, call us as soon as the office opens. You can also text our phone number and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Magnolia Springs Dentistry
703 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
[(407) 767-0633] (tel:+14077670633)
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Please call us to schedule an exam.