Emergency Dental Care

If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatending medical emergency, please dial 911.
 
 

What are Dental Emergencies?

A dental emergency is any event that warrants immediate care to save a tooth, stop bleeding from the mouth, or relieve tooth or mouth pain. Some of the most common examples we see at St. Matthews Dentistry include a cracked or knocked-out tooth or a toothache.

We see our fair share of dental emergencies here in St. Matthews and we’re equipped to handle them all. If you or a family member experience any of these, call us as soon as possible, and we’ll let you know if you’ll need to come in to the office. Remember, if you’re experiencing a serious medical emergency, you should call 911 for immediate care.

Knocked-out tooth

For adults, place the tooth in the socket without touching the root; if that’s not possible, place the tooth between your check and gums, in milk, or in ADA-approved tooth-preservation solution. It’s crucial to keep the tooth wet.

For children with baby teeth, come to our office as soon as possible; do not try to place the tooth in the socket.

Cracked tooth

Rinse your mouth, and place an ice pack on your face to reduce the swelling. Wrap the tooth up in wet gauze or a towel, and bring it to the office.

Toothache

Use warm water to rinse your mouth, and gently floss to remove any food.

If you note any facial swelling (which may signal infection), come to our office or your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area with a cloth, or rinse your mouth with water. Apply an ice pack to the area. If the bleeding doesn’t slow, come to our office or go to the ER.

Tips for Preventing Emergencies

Taking the right measures can keep your teeth safe. Here are a few easy precautions you and your family can take each day:

  • Use scissors or a tool, rather than your teeth, to open or cut items

  • Wear a mouthguard when playing high-impact sports, like football, basketball, and soccer • Wear a helmet when using a bike, scooter, or skateboard

  • Never chew hard foods, like ice and hard candy

  • Help young children keep toys and small items out of their mouths

Contact Us for Help

If you are experiencing a serious dental emergency like those listed above, please contact us as soon as possible.