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Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can make all the difference. To save your teeth, you should follow these instructions when you need urgent dental care.
One moment you’re feeling great and having fun playing football. The next—you just knocked out one of your own teeth.
And you have no idea what to do next!
You’ve been taught what to do in some medical emergencies. After all, you know that you’re supposed stop, drop, and roll for fire or perform the heimlich when someone is choking. But what are you supposed to do for a dental emergency?
Generally, there are 2 options for dental emergencies: go straight to the ER or care for the injury until you’re able to see your dentist. To help you decide what is best in different dental emergencies, here’s what you need to know:
Is Your Condition Urgent?
Not every dental issue requires a visit to the ER. Sometimes, it may be wiser financially to see your usual dentist if your condition isn’t in need of immediate medical attention.
Non-Emergency Conditions
Even if these don’t require emergency medical care, it’s still important to see our dentist as soon as possible it you have one or more of the following problems:
Dull toothache
Lost filling, bridge, or crown
Broken or chipped tooth (unless there is sever pain)
Damaged
Objects caught between teeth
Broken braces or wires
Urgent Dental Care Emergencies
Some dental problems can be treated at home until your dentist can see you, whereas others may require urgent attention. Here are some examples of dental emergencies.
Injured jaw
Painful swelling
A permanent tooth that has been partially or fully knocked-out
Severe toothache
Tooth infection that leads to fever, severe pain, and swelling
It’s crucial that you know the difference between non-emergency dental issues and problems that require urgent care. Call your dentist immediately if you experience any of those problems.
Handling Dental Emergencies
If you experience a dental emergency at night or over the weekend when dentists’ offices are closed, it’s important that you know how to deal with the issues in the meantime. This list compiled from WebMD can help you know what to do in different dental emergencies:
Toothaches – Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. If you have food or an object lodges between your teeth causing pain, remove it with dental floss. If you are experiencing swelling, apply cold pack to the outside on your cheek or mouth in the area. You can also take an over-the-counter painkiller, but don’t put it against the gums near the aching tooth— it may actually burn the gum tissue.
Broken or chipped tooth – If you’re able, save any pieces of the tooth. Wash the broken pieces if any and rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply gauze to bleeding area until the bleeding stops or for about 10 minutes. Ice the area of the broken or chipped tooth on the outside of the mouth or cheek to relieve pain and swelling.
Partially dislodged tooth – An extruded tooth will likely need immediate attention in order to save the tooth. Leave the tooth in its socket, even if feels like it’s about to come out. Until you’re able to see your dentist, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth.
Knocked Out Tooth – If you’re able to retrieve the tooth, rinse off the tooth with water if it’s dirty. Be sure to hold it by the crown and not the roots. Don’t remove any tissue fragment. Try to put the tooth back in it’s socket if possible, making sure that it’s facing the right way. Don’t force it in. If you’re unable to reinsert the tooth, put it in a small container of milk or a cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt. The highest chance of saving your tooth is seeing your dentist within 1 hour of it being knocked out, so it’s important that you seek attention right away.
Lost Crown or Filling – If you’re unable to see your dentist immediately, there are a few things you can do to handle the situation. If you’re experiencing pain, you can apply clove oil or powder to the sensitive area with a cotton swab. If you can, try to place the crown back over the tooth. You can use an over the counter dental cement, a denture adhesive, or toothpaste to hold the crown in place until you see your dentist. If you have a lost dental filling, you can also use a piece of sugarless gum to temporarily hold it in place.
Food/Object caught in teeth – If something lodged between your teeth is causing you pain, try to use dental floss the carefully remove it. Be gentle, and do not use a sharp object like a pin to poke at the object, as this could scratch your teeth and gums. If you can’t remove it yourself, see your dentist.
Loose brackets – You can use a small piece of orthodontic wax to temporarily reattach loose bracket. You can also use the wax as a cushion by placing it over the braces to it doesn’t scratch your mouth. In this case, it’s important that you see your orthodontist as soon as you can.
Broken braces or wires – Do not cut the wire yourself. Try using the eraser end of the pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position to prevent it from poking other parts of your mouth. If you’re unable to reposition the wire, you can use a small cotton ball, orthodontic wax, or a piece of gauze to cover the end of the wire until you see your dentist.
Tooth Abscess – An abscessed tooth is an infection at the root of a tooth, usually caused by severe tooth decay. If left untreated, they can lead to damaged tissue and teeth, with the infection spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. So, it’s important that you see your dentist as soon as possible if you think you may have an abscessed tooth. In the meantime, rinse your mouth several times a day with a mild saltwater solution to ease pain.
Many dental practices have an emergency number that you can call if you are in urgent need of dental care when office hours are closed. If for some reason you are still unable to get in contact with your dentist, you should visit the ER in the event of a serious dental emergency.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Of course, accidents will happen no matter how careful you are. Still, there a few ways that you can help prevent dental emergencies:
Wear a mouthguard or facecage during high intensity sports or activities.
Stick to a healthy dental regimen.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Avoid foods that are hard on your teeth.
Stop bad habits like chewing on pencils or fingernails.
You never know when a dental emergency could happen, which is why it’s important to be prepared. As you use these guidelines for urgent dental care, take preventative measures, and have access to affordable dental care, you should have nothing to worry about.
Oral Health & Your Heart
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a disease involving the heart and blood vessels. It’s the No. 1 cause of death and disability in the United States today, with almost 700,000 Americans dying of heart disease each year.1 That represents almost 29% of all deaths in the United States.1
Heart disease and gum disease have several things in common. For example, inflammation is common in both cases, and inflammation can contribute to narrowing coronary arteries and breaking down the tissue that holds teeth in place.2 Emerging research suggests a possible association between gum disease and CVD, as the oral bacteria of gum disease can enter the bloodstream and cause a defense reaction throughout the body.3,4 Also, bacteria from the mouth can travel to important organs in the body, including the heart, and begin a new infection.4
79.4 millionAmericans had one or more forms of CVD in 2004.5
Treating CVD depends on what form of the disease a patient has. The most effective treatments are always lifestyle changes. Whether CVD development is related to gum disease or not, keeping up with good brushing and flossing habits is essential.
CVD—What’s the Cost?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)–including heart disease and stroke–causes the deaths of more American men and women, regardless of their race or ethnic background, than any other disease.6 What’s more, CVD costs Americans billions of dollars each year–about $300 billion–in health care treatments, medications, and lost productivity because of disability and death.6
If You’re at Risk for CVD…
See a physician and discuss proper ways to prevent it, as well as different possible treatments if you find out you have it.
Also, talk to your dentist or hygienist about gum disease and ask if it’s a potential problem for you and your overall health.
Make sure you visit your medical and dental professionals on a regular basis to remain as healthy as possible.
What You Can Do
A Healthy Diet Can Help Decrease Your Risk1:
Keep your total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Limit or eliminate extra salt or sodium
Reduce the amount of saturated fat in your diet
Surprise! Oral Health Could Affect Your Heart
Researchers have found that people with severe gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as those without gum disease. Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth–specifically in the soft tissue that supports the teeth. When your body reacts to this infection, your gums become inflamed, they may bleed, and in severe cases, your teeth may become loose.
The earliest form of gum disease is called gingivitis and the most severe is periodontal disease. When bacteria infect your mouth, inflammation results as your body fights the infection. Systemic inflammation has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of CVD.
Preventing gum disease and the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth by brushing and flossing twice a day–as well as seeing your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis–could ultimately be one way to also help prevent CVD problems.
In 2004, more than 147,000 Americans killed by CVD were under 65 years of age.5
5 Tips to Help Prevent Cardiovascular Problems
Abstinence from tobacco use
Cardiovascular exercise (aerobics); talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program
Healthy eating habits
Some medications (discuss with your doctor)
Aspirin therapy (talk to your doctor before starting any new medication program)
Disclaimer
The content of this guide is for information purposes only. It does not substitute for the dentist’s professional assessment based on the individual patient’s case.
Bringing Teeth into Alignment with Orthodontic Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists reports that in the United States 4.5 million people are wearing braces or other dental appliances to straighten teeth and provide a healthy, beautiful smile.1. As many of us know, an orthodontist is a dentist with additional clinical training to treat malocclusions (improper bites), which may result from tooth irregularity and jaw issues.
Why Do Teeth Become Crooked?
Terry Pracht, DDS, past president of the American Association of Orthodontics says that both heredity and environmental factors can create crooked teeth and bite problems. Dr. Pracht mentions that hereditary factors include crowded teeth, teeth where there is too much space and malocclusions. He also mentions that crooked teeth can be caused by thumb sucking and tongue thrusting as well as accidents occurring to the jaw.1
What are Treatment Options to Straighten Teeth or Malocclusions?
There are three stages of orthodontic treatment. The first is when appliances are used to gain space in the mouth. For example, palatal expanders are used to expand the width of the palate and lingual bars are used to expand the lower jaw. The active corrective stage is next when the braces are placed on the teeth. The teeth are then adjusted and then straightened and malocclusions are corrected over a period of time based upon the severity of the irregularity of the teeth and jaw issues. The third stage is the retention stage after braces are removed and when the teeth are monitored through the use of a retainer (removable or fixed) and semi-annual orthodontic visits are conducted to maintain the straightened smile.
Types of Braces
Braces from over 30 or so years ago included large metal bands that were enclosed and cemented around each tooth. Braces can be attached to the cheek side of the teeth as well as the tongue side of the teeth depending on what your orthodontist recommends to you for treatment. Braces, arch wires and bands can be colorful and a lot of fun for children, adolescents and teenagers to choose from.
Today, tiny brackets are placed onto the front surface of the tooth and are made of metal or ceramic. The brackets are bonded to the front tooth surface with a glue-like material and metal bands can be used on the back teeth. Arch wires are placed inside the brackets and are made of a heat-activated nickel-titanium source that can become warm due to the temperature in the mouth, which will allow it to apply constant pressure on the teeth as well as when the arch wires are adjusted at the orthodontist’s office.
Another newer alternative to braces is the Invisalign® system which uses a series of clear removable aligners that are worn during the day and night to help in moving teeth into the correct alignment. When eating or brushing and flossing, the aligners may be removed.
Caring for Braces
Your dentist or dental hygienist will provide you with thorough instruction of how to properly clean your braces. There are many toothbrushes you can use both manual (specifically designed for orthodontic patients), power, electric or sonic. Ask your dental professional which is be best for you. Brushing should be conducted at least 2-3 times per day at a 45 degree angle in a back and forth motion. Be sure to remove plaque at the gum line to prevent gingivitis (inflammation of the gum tissue). Be sure to angle the toothbrush at the gum line and then gently brush around the brackets to remove plaque and food debris.
It is very important to clean in between your teeth with a floss threader and floss, a stimudent (tooth pick cleaner) or a proxabrush (interproximal cleaning brush) may be used if there is space between the teeth. Oral irrigators may be recommended to remove food debris and irrigate the gum tissue to remove disease and odor-causing bacteria that may be there if you have gingivitis. An antibacterial toothpaste and over-the-counter antimicrobial mouth rinses could also be used with the oral irrigator or alone.
How to Maintain a Smile After the Braces are Off
After your dentist has determined that your braces can be removed, it is very important that a retainer (a plastic appliance) be worn during the day or night as recommended by them. The retainer can be cleaned with warm water or toothpaste and a toothbrush after you wear it and placed in a plastic container when not in use.
See your dental professional for a twice a year professional cleaning and regular maintenance appointments.
Diabetes and Oral Health
During the past 10 years, much research has been undertaken on the link between diabetes and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the sixth leading complication of diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease, with a higher rate of more severe levels of bone loss and gum infection.1
What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is a serious disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. Normally, insulin helps get sugar from the blood to the body’s cells, where it is used for energy. When you have diabetes, your body has trouble making and/or using insulin, so your body does not get the fuel it needs and your blood sugar stays too high. High blood sugar sets off processes that can lead to complications, such as heart, kidney, and eye disease, or other serious problems.2,3
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes,you are 3 to 4 times more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Are There Different Types of Diabetes? It is estimated that more than 20 million adults and children in the United States have some form of diabetes–14 million having been diagnosed with the disease and 6 million being unaware they have it. There are different types of the disease: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as prediabetes. Most Americans (around 90%) who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.2,3
What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, ligaments, and bone that support your teeth and hold them in the jaw. If left untreated, you may experience tooth loss. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless microbial film that constantly forms on your teeth. Toxins (or poisons) produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, causing infection.4
Diabetes Control and Periodontal Treatment
Periodontal disease may make it more difficult for you to control your blood sugar. Your body’s reaction to periodontal disease can increase your blood sugar level. Consequently, it is important for patients with diabetes to treat and eliminate periodontal infection for optimal diabetes control. Periodontal treatment combined with antibiotics has been shown to improve blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, suggesting that treating periodontal disease could decrease insulin requirements.1
What Are the Warning Signs?
DIABETES
Constant hunger or thirst
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Constant fatigue
Weight loss without trying
Poor wound healing (cuts or bruises that are slow to heal)
Dry mouth
Itchy, dry skin
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Most people with diabetes do not notice any warning signs
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Red and swollen gums that bleed often during brushing or flossing and are tender to the touch
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, exposing the roots
Milky white or yellowish plaque deposits, which are usually heaviest between the teeth
Pus between the teeth and gums accompanied by tenderness or swelling in the gum area
A consistent foul, offensive odor from the mouth
IMPORTANT: Physicians and Dentists Need to Work Together
It is important that your dentist be kept up-to-date on your diabetic condition and treatment and that your physician be kept up-to-date on your oral condition and treatment, so that they can work together to help you control your diabetes and prevent or control periodontal disease.1
If your diabetic condition is well controlled, periodontal treatment would be the same for you as for a patient without diabetes. In early stages, treatment usually involves removing the plaque and calculus from the pockets around your teeth. If the periodontal disease is more severe or if your diabetes is not well controlled, treatment will be more specialized and tailored toward your specific condition. Your dentist may recommend more frequent oral prophylaxes (dental cleanings) involving scaling and root planing or may recommend periodontal surgery.1
Diabetes and Your Mouth
Periodontal disease is not the only problem that can occur if you have diabetes. Although you might not be able to prevent these problems, you can minimize the trouble they cause you5:
Dry mouth: Xerostomia occurs when your salivary glands don’t produce sufficient saliva to keep your mouth moist, causing tissues in your mouth to become inflamed and sore. It can make chewing, tasting, and swallowing more difficult, as well as cause difficulty in eating, making it more difficult to control blood sugar.
Fungal infection: Candida albicans is a fungus that normally lives inside the mouth without causing any problems. But when you have diabetes, deficient saliva in your mouth and extra sugar in your saliva allow the fungus to cause an infection called candidiasis (thrush), which appears as sore white or red areas in your mouth.
Burning mouth syndrome: If you feel severe burning and pain in your mouth even though you don’t see any problems causing it, you may have this syndrome.
Oral surgery complications:If you need oral surgery, diabetes— particularly if poorly controlled—can complicate oral surgery. Diabetes retards healing and increases risk of infection. Your blood sugar levels also may be harder to control after oral surgery. Your dentist should work closely with your physician to minimize possible complications. If you need oral surgery, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you:
Remind your dentist that you have diabetes and discuss any specific diabetes-related issues.
Eat before your dental visit so your blood sugar is within normal range.
Take your usual medications. Your dentist should consult with your physician about whether you can adjust your diabetes medications or take an antibiotic to prevent infection before surgery.
Plan for your eating needs after surgery. If you’re having dental work that may leave your mouth sore, plan to eat soft or liquid foods that will allow you to eat without pain.
Wait until your blood sugar is under control. It’s best to have surgery when your blood sugar levels are within your goal range. If your dental needs are urgent and your blood sugar is poorly controlled, talk to your dentist and physician about receiving dental treatments in a hospital.
Because there are more permanent teeth than primary teeth, the permanent premolars come in behind the primary molars. Permanent molars emerge into an open space. The jaw lengthens as a child grows to create space for these permanent molars.
It takes about six years, between the ages of six and 12, for children to lose their primary (deciduous) teeth and gain their permanent teeth. This is called the period of “mixed dentition,” because for much of the time, children will have both primary and permanent teeth. Teeth form under the gum before they erupt (emerge through the gum). The crown, or visible part of the tooth, forms before the roots do. Before the roots form, the developing tooth is called a “tooth bud.”
Eventually, the 20 primary teeth are replaced by 32 permanent teeth. The primary molars are replaced by permanent premolars (also called bicuspids) and the permanent molars come in behind the primary teeth. Most often, the first teeth to emerge are the lower two front teeth (incisors) and the upper and lower first molars, the molars closest to the front of the mouth. They are followed by the upper two front teeth. The order that teeth emerge can vary. Parents should be more concerned about symmetry (the same teeth coming in at the same time on both sides) than the time teeth emerge.
Schedule appointment with your dentist to have your kid’s teeth examined to ensure a healthy transition to permanent teeth. Teeth which they would want to feel proud of for their whole life that lies ahead of them.
By following the information in this guide, you and your family can have healthy teeth and gums to last a lifetime. As a parent, you can work with your children to help them understand why good oral care is important  and show them how to do it right!
Four Steps to a Bright Smile
Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.
Floss every day.
Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Its easy to guide your family toward good oral health. All it takes is the right information and a little practice to keep them moving in the right direction!
Fluoride  your family’s best defense
Fluoride is the best cavity fighter you can find as you guide your family to a lifetime of bright smiles! It keeps the whole familys teeth strong  no matter what their ages.
How fluoride works
Every day, the enamel on teeth is attacked by acids produced in dental plaque. These acids can make teeth weaker, and can result in decay.
Thats where fluoride comes in. When it reaches your teeth, fluoride is absorbed into the enamel. It helps to repair the enamel and prevent tooth decay. It can even help stop the decay process.
How to get fluoride
You can get the benefits of fluoride from different places. It can work from the outside of your teeth, and from the inside of your body. To work the best, you need to get it both ways! At home, you and your family should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.
Snacking and tooth decay
If fluoride is our greatest protection against decay, then frequent snacking can be our teeths biggest enemy. Every day, you and your family face snacking challenges. Heres what you need to know:
Its how often you snack that matters
The truth is that what your family eats isnt as important as when and how often they snack! It all has to do with the plaque reaction, and this is how it works:
The plaque reaction
Everyone has plaque bacteria in their mouths. But when these plaque bacteria meet up with the sugars and starches that are found in snacks such as cookies, candies, dried fruits, soft drinks or even pretzels or potato chips, the plaque reacts to create acid, and a plaque attack occurs.
The fact is, most snacks that you eat contain either sugars or starches that give plaque this opportunity to make acid. And each plaque attack can last for up to 20 minutes after you have finished your snack. During this period, the plaque acid is attacking tooth enamel, making it weak. Thats when cavities can start!
Fighting back against plaque
The good news is, you can take a stand against plaque! By brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and by reducing the number of times you snack each day, you and your family can help prevent tooth decay.
When it comes to snacking, its best to choose something nutritious and to snack in moderation. Its also better to eat the whole snack at one time! Heres why: eating five pieces of a snack at one time exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay  for approximately 20 minutes. Nibbling on those same five pieces at five different times exposes your teeth to possible tooth decay for approximately 100 minutes. What a difference!
You need to watch babys sweets, too!
Infants are just as susceptible to decay as older children and adults. In fact, Early Childhood Cavities can be a very serious condition. See the Preventing Early Childhood Cavities section below for more information.
The dental checkup
The dentist is your familys partner on the Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® pathway. Be sure to schedule regular dental appointments for the whole family. A child’s first visit should take place before his or her third birthday.
Dental checkups early in a childs life allow children to have a positive dental health experience. TIP: Take your young toddler with you to your own appointment first. That way, the dental office becomes a familiar place.
Your dental checkup: what to expect
Fluoride treatments:
Your dentist may treat your childs teeth with extra fluoride in the form of a gel to make teeth stronger. This gel goes in a tray that fits into the mouth that children wear for a few minutes to let the fluoride sink into their teeth. It comes in neat flavors for kids!
Dental sealants:
These are thin, protective plastic coatings applied by the dentist to the permanent back teeth (molars). They fill in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth where foods and bacteria can get stuck and cause cavities. Once applied, sealants can last for several years.
X-rays:
These pictures show the dentist whats going on inside the teeth and beneath the gum line. During the X-ray, your child will wear a lead apron to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation.
Early Childhood Cavities is a childhood disease that can be prevented. The following steps can help guard your baby against this painful condition  and ask your dentist or physician for more information.
Its best not to put a bottle in bed with your baby. But if you must put a bottle in bed with your baby, put only plain water in it. Any liquid except water, even milk and juice, can cause cavities.
You can use a bottle to feed your baby at regular feeding times, but allowing the bottle to be used as a pacifier can be a major cause of cavities.