Dental emergencies are scary and often painful. First things first, apply pressure to the area to stop any bleeding. An over the counter medication such as ibuprofen can reduce discomfort until you get to our office.
Once things settle down and you have time to think, it’s time to take steps to save your tooth.
If the Tooth is Chipped Off…
Depending on the size of your chip, the fractured tooth fragment may be possible to cement it back into place. If you can’t locate the broken piece, we can rebuild the area with bonding or put a crown over it.
Completely Knocked Out Teeth…
Avulsed (knocked out) teeth should be re-implanted within the next 60-90 minutes. If you’re not able to place the tooth back into the socket on your own, store it safely. Get to our Boyertown office as quickly as possible.
Don’t Scrub It Clean!
Your initial instinct may be to clean the tooth off. If there’s visible debris, you can gently run water over it to flush the dirt away. Otherwise, don’t scrub it clean — this can remove microscopic ligaments that would otherwise aid the tooth’s ability to be re-implanted.
Store it Properly
Carefully place your tooth fragment in a sealed container of milk, contact solution, or saline. If you can be very careful, another option is to tuck it inside of your cheek, so that the saliva keeps it lubricated. Just don’t swallow it!
Call Bear Valley Dental Care in Boyertown, PA for same day emergency treatment. We’ll see you as quickly as possible to get you out of pain and help you smile again. New patients are always welcome.