Most Frequent Dental Emergencies And First Aid

Evan Bumbera • October 11, 2021
A red and white sign that says emergency on it

A tooth emergency is any mouth trauma that may cause lacerations and bleeding of the gums. A dental emergency can occur abruptly, and knowing how to act when you get a tooth emergency can minimize the extremity and help your recovery. Dental emergencies are common in both adults and children, which is why we recommend everyone to have oral first-aid tools at home. Below is a list of dental emergencies and how to handle them.

Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth often occurs when someone gets struck in the face. It is advisable to pick the tooth by the crown without touching the root, rinse it, and avoid scrubbing. You can reinsert the tooth back, and if it is not possible to reinsert the tooth, store it in milk. If you have lost a tooth, you can try to control the bleeding by using a cloth or gauze. Furthermore, you can minimize the swelling with a cold compress. The next step is to visit a dentist with the tooth and tooth fragments for further checkups.

Broken Tooth

A broken tooth can happen due to falling when hit in the mouth or biting hard food. Minor tooth breaks are not generally painful. You can handle them by cleaning the dirty area using an oral cleanser and placing an ice pack on the face to lessen swelling. When a big piece of tooth breaks, it can hurt due to nerve damage inside the tooth.

Abscessed Tooth

They occur as a result of gum disease and poor oral hygiene. The tooth abscess looks like a pimple located on the gum and is a sign of infection. If you notice an abscessed tooth, visit our office immediately.


As much as dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, it is essential to schedule an appointment with us for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We will also advise on how you should handle dental emergencies on your visit to our office.

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