There’s no planning for dental emergencies. A broken tooth, a cut to the gums or a severe toothache can happen when you’re least expecting it. And when it does, you need to act fast to find relief. Dr. Kassem is your emergency dentist in Williamstown treating your next urgent situation. Call our emergency hotline and feel confident knowing the iSmile Dental Arts team will have you back to your old self soon.
Tips to Remain Calm and Act Fast
Some of the most common emergencies we see in our office include knocked out teeth, broken teeth, severe toothaches and oral lacerations. No matter the situation, the most important thing to remember following a dental emergency is to keep your cool. Easier said than done, you’re probably thinking — but not when you’re prepared with some basic information. Here we’ve compiled a list of the things you should do to help you stay calm throughout your next dental emergency.
Save our number
Time is of the essence in any dental emergency. Here’s something you can do right now — program our number into your phone. When you’ve got our line at your fingertips, you’ll be more likely to receive the help or advice you need in those first crucial moments following a dental emergency. Our number is (856) 341-9472. It won’t hurt to display it prominently in your home, too.
Slow the bleeding
If significant bleeding occurs as a result of a broken tooth or a cut to the cheeks, lips or gums, try to stop the blood flow by applying gentle but firm pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding doesn’t slow or subside after 10 minutes, you’ve got a more serious problem. Head straight to the emergency room for immediate attention.
Take pain medicine
To control discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain medicine as directed. Don’t put the medicine directly onto the tooth or gum, as this action is likely to burn or injure the area. But if you’ve got a toothache that doesn’t subside with ibuprofen or aspirin, you’ve probably got a serious infection in the tooth — call your dentist immediately.
Reduce swelling
After you experience a tooth break or a blow to the face, control the swelling that’s to come by applying an ice pack in 10-minute intervals until you can reach the dentist’s office. Place the pack to the affected cheek for 10 minutes, then remove for 10 minutes.
Floss for toothaches
Many times, toothaches are caused when something gets lodged between teeth. It’s especially common in children. To see if that’s the case with your toothache, first rinse your mouth, floss carefully around the affected area and then rinse again. Don’t use anything other than floss to perform this step. If your toothache remains, contact the emergency dentist immediately.
