What to Do If You’re in a Dental Emergency
Stay Calm and Act Quickly
A dental emergency can happen when you least expect it—biting into hard candy, taking a fall, or waking up with unbearable tooth pain. Whether it’s a broken tooth, a knocked-out tooth, or sudden swelling in your gums, acting fast can mean the difference between saving and losing your natural teeth.
At the dental office of Dr. Jeffrey B. Kravitz in Wakefield, MA, we offer immediate care for all types of dental emergencies. Our goal is to relieve pain, prevent infection, and preserve your oral health. If you’re unsure what to do, follow the steps below and contact our Wakefield dental office at (781) 245-7714 for guidance and same-day treatment.
Step 1: Assess the Situation
Not all dental issues are true emergencies, but any condition that involves severe pain, bleeding, or tooth loss requires emergency dental care.
Common Dental Emergencies Include:
- Broken or chipped tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Cracked tooth or fracture
- Toothache or infection
- Broken crown or lost filling
- Injury to the gums or mouth
- Swelling or abscess
If you’re experiencing any of these, stay calm and take action right away. Quick thinking can protect your remaining tooth structure and prevent further damage.
Step 2: Stop Bleeding and Control Pain
If you have bleeding from your gums or around the tooth root, gently apply sterile gauze and hold pressure for 10 minutes. If bleeding persists or is severe, visit an emergency department immediately.
For pain management:
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen).
- Avoid applying aspirin directly to the gum tissue, as it can cause burns.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
If your tooth hurts or feels loose, avoid touching it with your fingers or tongue until a dentist examines it.
Step 3: Handle a Broken or Chipped Tooth
A broken or chipped tooth should never be ignored, even if there’s no immediate pain. Sharp edges can cut your tongue or cheeks, and the exposed tooth enamel is vulnerable to infection.
How to fix a broken tooth—temporarily:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to remove debris.
- Save any fragments if possible and store them in milk or saline.
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent irritation.
- Eat soft foods and avoid biting with the damaged tooth.
- See a dentist as soon as possible for repair.
Treatment Options at Our Clinic: Dr. Kravitz may restore your broken tooth using tooth-colored resin, a dental crown, or bonding material. For more severe fractures that expose the tooth pulp, root canal therapy may be required to save the natural tooth.
Step 4: Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth (avulsed tooth) is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. According to the American Dental Association, you have about one hour to successfully reimplant a permanent tooth.
If your tooth is knocked out:
- Pick it up by the crown, not the root.
- Gently rinse the tooth with warm water—do not scrub or remove attached gum tissue.
- Try to gently push the tooth back into its socket and hold it in place by gently biting on gauze.
- If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in an emergency tooth preservation kit, milk, or saline to keep it moist.
- Call your dentist immediately at (781) 245-7714 or head to our Wakefield dentist’s office for emergency care.
At the Clinic:If the tooth cannot be saved, Dr. Kravitz offers long-term replacement options such as dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures to restore your smile and prevent bone loss.
Step 5: Manage a Cracked or Damaged Tooth
A cracked tooth can cause pain when chewing, sensitivity to temperature, or intermittent discomfort. The severity depends on how deep the crack extends into the tooth pulp.
What to Do:
- Rinse with salt water to clean the area.
- Avoid extreme temperatures and sticky foods.
- Apply a cold compress if swelling occurs.
- See your dentist as soon as possible for X-rays and an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment:
- Minor cracks: sealed with tooth-colored resin or bonding material.
- Deep fractures: may require root canal therapy or a dental crown.
Badly damaged or broken teeth beyond repair: tooth extraction may be necessary, followed by a dental implant to restore the chewing surface.
Step 6: Relieve a Severe Toothache
Tooth pain can have many causes—decay, infection, a cracked crown, or an exposed tooth root. While temporary relief is possible, it’s crucial to see your dentist to identify the underlying cause.
At Home:
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce bacteria.
- Use dental floss to remove trapped food.
- Apply a cold compress outside of the cheek.
- Avoid biting or chewing until evaluated.
At the Clinic:Dr. Kravitz will examine the tooth, possibly take X-rays, and recommend treatment. This may include a filling, root canal, or crown to prevent infection and preserve your oral health.
Step 7: Avoid DIY Dental Fixes
It’s tempting to search “how to fix a broken tooth” online, but many quick fixes can make the situation worse. Avoid using glue, sharp tools, or at-home kits not designed for emergency use.
If you need to cover a jagged edge or protect a chipped tooth, you can use a temporary filling material or wax from a pharmacy—but only until you can see a dentist near you in Wakefield.
Step 8: Know When to Go to the Emergency Room
While most dental emergencies are best handled at a dentist’s office, some situations require immediate hospital attention:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe swelling affecting breathing
- Serious injury to the jaw or face
- Signs of spreading infection, such as fever or dizziness
For these cases, visit the nearest emergency room or urgent care center for stabilization before contacting our office for follow-up dental treatment.
Step 9: Protect Your Teeth After Treatment
Once your emergency care is complete, follow these steps to ensure proper healing:
- Eat soft foods for several days.
- Avoid chewing on the side of the damaged tooth.
- Rinse with warm salt water to keep your mouth clean.
- Maintain regular oral hygiene with gentle brushing and dental floss.
- Avoid sticky foods and hard candy until your dentist applies a permanent repair.
If you had a tooth extraction or root canal, follow your aftercare instructions closely to prevent infection and ensure optimal recovery.
Step 10: Prevent Future Dental Emergencies
Keeping your teeth healthy reduces the risk of future emergencies. Here’s how to protect your natural teeth and existing restorations:
- Schedule regular checkups with Dr. Kravitz for preventive care.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or if you grind your teeth.
- Avoid biting into hard foods like ice or hard candy.
- Replace worn or damaged dental crowns and fillings promptly.
With good habits and routine visits, most dental emergencies can be avoided altogether.
When to Contact Dr. Jeffrey B. Kravitz
If you’re facing a dental emergency, time is critical. The sooner you act, the greater the chance of saving your natural tooth and avoiding complications like infection or tooth loss.
Dr. Jeffrey B. Kravitz and his experienced team provide immediate care for all dental problems—from broken teeth to knocked-out teeth and everything in between. We offer same-day appointments, pain management, and long-term solutions like dental crowns and implants to restore your smile.
Call our Wakefield, MA dentist’s office today at (781) 245-7714 for emergency assistance or visit us in person for prompt evaluation and treatment.