Dental emergencies
 Our best defense against emergencies is prevention. Many people do not see a dentist regularly and may feel they are saving money, but in most cases the opposite is true. When problems are found early, the solution is usually simple. Root canals, extractions, and major treatment can often be prevented by having regular checkups.Whether you see your dentist regularly or not, emergencies can happen. Following is a guide to help you through some common situations that we see:
Tooth Knocked Out – If it’s a baby tooth, don’t worry about it. If it’s a permanent tooth, gently rinse off any dirt with milk (or water if milk is not available) and try to gently put it back in the socket. Don’t scrub the tooth as this will damage it and avoid touching the root surface as much as possible. If you can’t put the tooth back in place, you can hold it in your mouth or put it in milk. Go to the dentist as soon as possible.
Lost Filling – If you aren’t in pain, just keep the area clean until you can get to the dentist. If you are in pain, try dipping a piece of cotton in clove oil and then put it in your tooth. You might also check with your local pharmacist for other topical options.
Broken Tooth – the same advice applies as for a lost filling.
Crown or Cap Falls Out – remove the crown, coat the inside of it with Vaseline, and gently place it back on the tooth. The Vaseline will help hold it in place. Go to the dentist as soon as possible.
Sharp Edges or Wire From Braces – To minimize discomfort due to a broken orthodontic wire or a tooth that has broken and has sharp edges, cover the sharp edge with a piece of dental wax. If you do not have dental wax, use a piece of chewed sugarless gum until you can get to the dentist.
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