If you’ve lost a restoration such as a filling, temporary crown or bridge, you may not need to see a dentist right away. If you are experiencing discomfort from a lost filling, placing a small amount of dental wax or sugar free gum over the area where the filling has been lost will act as a protective barrier to decrease your discomfort until you are able to see your dentist. Similarly, your lost temporary crown can be replaced onto the prepared tooth with a small amount of Vaseline to assist the crown in staying in place until an appointment can be made with your dentist.

If you have something stuck between your teeth that has not been able to be removed using dental floss or rinsing, call your dentist to arrange a non-emergent appointment at your earliest convenience. Avoid poking at the area with tools or implements, as you may risk damage to the enamel or surrounding tissues.

Dull pain that is remedied by over-the-counter medications do not need to be seen emergently.

If you see either a weeping or a contained white head on the gum line, you likely have a dental abscess.  These infections below the gum line need to be seen before they become systemic or put the tooth at risk. Avoid extremely hot or cold beverages and rinse your mouth frequently with lukewarm salt water until you can see your dentist. Abscessed teeth frequently require root canals or tooth extraction and are likely to require antibiotics as well. Avoid taking ibuprofen-based pain relievers like Advil, as these medications can complicate dental procedures because they have blood-thinning properties.

Collect all pieces of your tooth, rinse the pieces and your mouth gently, taking care not to lose any pieces. Place the pieces in the cheek pocket until you can see a dentist or transport the pieces in a clean container full of cold milk.

If your tooth is cracked and causing pain, avoid chewing on that side until you can see your dentist.

If you have had a tooth knocked out of its socket, act quickly. Begin by holding the tooth by its crown (never by its roots). Gently rinse the mouth and tooth being careful not to remove tissue or clean the tooth aggressively. Gently place the tooth back into the socket, applying gentle pressure by closing the mouth to keep the tooth in place. If the tooth does not go back into the socket, store it in your cheek or a clean container of cold milk and head directly to the nearest emergency dentist.

If you have injured the tissues of the mouth and require stitches, rinse the mouth gently and apply gauze and gentle pressure to lacerations or injured tissue. Get to the nearest dentist, or, your nearest emergency room may be able to offer treatment to injured tissues.

If you suspect that you’ve broken your jaw, immediately apply ice to minimize swelling and head to your nearest emergency dentist or emergency department for diagnosis and treatment.