Your First Steps When a Dental Emergency Occurs

A dental emergency is a stressful event that requires quick thinking and prompt treatment. While not all dental problems require an immediate trip to the dentist’s office, any sudden severe pain, injury, or uncontrolled bleeding means you must call your dentist immediately. Dr. Murphy and the team at Bozeman Gentle Dentistry are here to guide you through these crises and provide emergency dental care when you need it most.

Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a natural tooth. Your goal is always to relieve pain, stabilize the injury, and minimize the risk of infection and further damage. Follow this step-by-step guide to handle the most dental emergencies until you can get to our dentist’s office.

If you are experiencing pain or have suffered a serious injury, call your Bozeman dentist near you immediately at (406) 284-0795.

Crucial Steps for a Knocked Out Tooth

A knocked out tooth (avulsion) is one of the most serious tooth injuries and requires the fastest response. Prompt treatment within one hour of the injury offers the best chance of saving the permanent tooth.

Here is what to do immediately:

1. Locate the Tooth: Find the tooth and pick it up only by the crown (the chewing surface), avoiding the root. Do not scrub or wipe the root, as this can damage the fibers needed for reattachment.
2. Rinse Gently: If the tooth is dirty, rinse your mouth and the tooth gently with warm water or milk.
3. Attempt Reinsertion: If possible, try to gently place the permanent tooth back into the tooth socket. Have the patient bite down softly on gauze or a piece of cloth to keep it in place.
4. Transport Safely: If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk, a tooth preservation product, or saline solution. The tooth must be kept moist.
5. Get to the Dentist: Call your dentist immediately and go to the dentist’s office as soon as possible, ideally within one hour.

If the injured tooth is a baby tooth, do not try to reinsert it, as this can damage the emerging permanent tooth.

Treating a Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth is a common dental emergency that can range from a small chip (cosmetic dental problems) to a severe break exposing the inner dental pulp. Even if the tooth hurts only slightly, seeking emergency appointment is necessary to prevent infection that could lead to the need for a root canal.

Here is how to manage a broken tooth:

1. Rinse and Clean: Rinse your mouth immediately with warm water or a mild salt water solution to clean the area and relieve pain.
2. Collect Pieces: If you can, save the broken pieces of the tooth and bring them with you to the dentist. Sometimes the dentist can reattach them using dental cement.
3. Manage Swelling/Pain: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek or mouth near the fractured tooth to reduce swelling and pain.
4. Cover Sharp Edges: If the remaining tooth has a jagged edge that is cutting your mouth or tongue, cover it temporarily with dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum to prevent further damage.
5. Seek Prompt Treatment: Call your dentist for an emergency appointment. The treatment depends on the severity: a small chip may only require dental bonding (using tooth colored resin), while a severe cracked tooth or fracture exposing the nerve may require root canal therapy to save the natural tooth.

This type of dental emergency requires the dentist immediately to ensure the tooth can be restored to full function.

Severe Toothache or Abscess Pain

A persistent, severe tooth hurts is often a sign of an infection deep within the tooth, usually resulting in a tooth abscess. This dental emergency requires prompt treatment to drain the infection and alleviate the crippling pain.

Immediate steps for severe pain:

1. Call Your Dentist: Call your dentist immediately. Do not wait for regular business hours if the pain is debilitating.
2. Rinse with Salt Water: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt. This can help clean the area and draw out some infection, offering slight pain relief.
3. Apply Cold: Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
4. Medication: Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Do not place the medication directly on the gums or tooth, as this can burn the tissues.
5. Avoid Chewing: Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the side where the tooth hurts to prevent aggravation.

The treatment depends on the cause: it might require a root canal, a filling, or the repair of fractured cusps. Ignoring the pain means the infection is left untreated, leading to bone loss and a risk of systemic illness.

When to Seek Emergency Room Care

While many dentists offer emergency care during and outside of regular business hours, sometimes the severity of the trauma dictates a trip to the emergency room or urgent care center first.

Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:

• Trauma that results in broken facial bones or a fractured jaw.
• Uncontrolled bleeding that cannot be stopped with pressure.
• Trauma to the mouth accompanied by severe dizziness, disorientation, or vomiting.

For all other dental problems like a cracked tooth or severe tooth pain (tooth hurts), call your dentist first. The dentist has the appropriate tools and treatment options (like root canal therapy) needed to save your natural tooth.

Trust Bozeman Gentle Dentistry for Your Emergency Care

When facing a dental emergency, you need a trusted dentist who can provide immediate, compassionate care. Dr. Murphy and our experienced team at Bozeman Gentle Dentistry are here to address your common dental emergencies quickly and efficiently. We will ensure you get the treatment you need to restore full function and protect your long-term oral health.

Don’t hesitate to call your dentist at the first sign of trouble. For emergency dental care or an emergency appointment, call our top emergency dentist in Bozeman immediately.

Call Bozeman Gentle Dentistry now at (406) 284-0795.