Dental Emergencies: What to Do Before You Reach the Dentist

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Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Knowing what to do in the first hour can be the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Here is how to handle the most common dental emergencies in Century City before you reach the dentist.

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown (never the root), gently rinse it, and if you can, place it back in the socket. If that is not possible, keep it in a cup of milk. Then call us right away — reimplanting within the first hour offers the best chance of saving it.

Broken or chipped tooth

Rinse with warm water and save any pieces. Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, and avoid chewing on that side until you are seen.

Severe toothache

Rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum. Persistent pain or swelling can signal an infection that needs prompt care such as root canal therapy.

Lost filling or crown

Keep the crown if you have it, avoid chewing on that side, and call us to have it re-cemented or replaced. Visit our emergency dental care page to learn more.

In severe pain or heavy bleeding? Call us now at (310) 553-2233.