Knock-out!
You’ve probably heard the glass of milk trick! If you lose a permanent or adult tooth, the most important thing is to keep it moist at all times. If you can, try to put the tooth back in place without touching the root. If that doesn’t work, place it between your cheek and gums, in a glass of milk, or you can use an emergency tooth-preservation product like Save-A-Tooth. Then, get to your dentist’s office as soon as possible!
There’s a chink in your armor…
Have a crack in your tooth? If the crack is minor and only affecting your enamel, we may not recommend any treatment. These minor cracks are relatively common with adult teeth and we can fix them by simply polishing your tooth.
When a crack cuts through the enamel, however, it can cause infections or an even deeper fracture over time. You may experience pain when eating hot, cold, or hard foods. If this is the case, treatment is necessary in order to prevent further pain and damage. Make sure to avoid eating on the side of the cracked tooth as this could irritate the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels and make a note of where you’re experiencing the pain so you can describe it to your dentist. In some cases, filling material can solve the problem, but if the crack is severe enough, your dentist may recommend a crown, root canal or removal of the tooth entirely.
I think you dropped something
If you lose a filling or crown, try to see your dentist right away. Even if you don’t experience any related symptoms, your tooth has lost its support and is now vulnerable to more extensive damage as a result. The sooner your dentist repairs the damage, the less likely you are to lose your tooth or require further treatment.
Prevention is key
If you’re playing contact sports, wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury. Also avoid biting down into hard foods like hard candies and ice.
Don’t hesitate to call
We reserve time in our daily schedules for emergency patients. If you experience a dental emergency, call us and describe the details of your situation to help us provide the best care possible when you arrive!