How to Handle Dental Emergencies Over the Holidays

November 22, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — guthrieddsteam @ 6:29 pm
woman in Santa hat with toothache

You’re wrapping the last of your holiday presents when suddenly a dull, throbbing pain shoots through your mouth. Oh no, you have a toothache! Not only are you worried about this pain ruining your holiday, but all the local dentists are no doubt closed for the next few days. Let’s look at what you can do during a toothache and a few other holiday dental emergencies.

Toothache

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. Just be sure to not place aspirin directly on the area, as that could irritate the gum tissue and make your pain worse. You could also rinse your mouth with a glass of warm saltwater and spit it out up to several times a day. This method both kills bacteria and soothes the soft tissues in your mouth.

If your toothache is accompanied by swelling, you can cut down on that by applying an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes at a time. It should be noted that swelling is usually a sign of infection that could spread to other parts of the body, so it should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

Rinse your mouth out with warm water and collect any pieces of the tooth that you can. Save them to take to the dentist’s office. If you’re bleeding, use a piece of gauze or cloth and apply firm pressure to the area. To reduce pain and swelling, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth.

Lost Crown

Locate the crown. If you have any denture adhesive or sugarless chewing gum on hand, you can try and reattach the crown. Keep in mind that this is only a temporary solution until you can see your dentist. Avoid chewing with that tooth until your crown is permanently reattached.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Find the tooth and gently pick it up by the crown, or the part that you use to chew. NEVER pick up a dislodged tooth by the roots. Clean the tooth off with warm water and then, if you can, try and place it back in the socket. If you can’t, then hold it in your mouth in between your cheek and gums. You could also place it in a container filled with milk, saltwater, or a tooth preservation kit like Save-a-Tooth.

Time is of the essence in this situation. You have about an hour at most to see your dentist and get the tooth successfully reattached. You may have to visit a new dentist if your regular one isn’t open.

Call Your Emergency Dentist

Even if your emergency dentist’s office is closed for the holidays, be sure to call and leave a voicemail detailing your situation. Someone will be checking the messages as soon as the office opens and can get you in for an appointment from there. A dental emergency during the holidays is never ideal, but with these tips, you can make sure an unexpected problem doesn’t get in the way of your celebrations.

About the Author

Dr. Jamie Guthrie opened her own private practice in Ardmore, OK in 2007. She pursues more than 50 hours of continuing education a year on topics like sedation, pediatric care, and esthetic dentistry. If you call her practice with a dental emergency, one of her warm and friendly team members will guide you over the phone on what to do and schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t be afraid to call Dr. Guthrie’s practice at (580) 224-9600.

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