Hillside Dental helps you prepare for a dental emergency

Sometimes we think that we can’t prepare for a dental emergency. But Hillside Dental believes in sharing information with their patients so that they can be prepared.

 After your dental emergency, you should always follow up with our staff and doctors at Hillside Dental Associates.

Follow up after your dental emergency with Hillside Dental Associates

Soft-tissue injuries

Injuries to the gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips can result in bleeding.

To control the bleeding:


• Rinse out your mouth with mild salt-water
• To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.

If the bleeding continues, go to the emergency room and call Hillside Dental Associates. Our doctors will advise you. Do continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with  gauze until you are seen and treated.

Broken or Chipped tooth

If possible, save pieces of the tooth. Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Call Drs. Ron or Kent Scoville or Dr. Oberg as soon as possible.

 Losing a filing

A quick solution is to put a piece of sugarless gum into the empty cavity where the filling was. Gum with sugar will cause pain. Over-the-counter dental cement works as well. And of course, see Drs. Kent and Ron Scoville or Dr. Oberg as soon as possible.

Place your chipped tooth in milk until you reach us

 Toothache

Gently floss around the area. Rinse out your mouth with warm water. You can use salt water as well. NEVER rub the gum or damaged tooth with aspirin or any other painkiller because it may burn the gum tissue. Use a cold press to reduce swelling.

Knocked out tooth

If you can, retrieve the tooth. Always hold the tooth by the crown or the part that is exposed above the gum line. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue fragments. If you can, try to put the tooth back into place; making sure it’s properly in place. NEVER force the tooth into the socket.

If you can’t reinsert the tooth in its socket, you can put it in your cheek or in a small container of milk or cup of water with a pinch of salt. And of course call Hillside Dental Associates to let us know about your emergency.

Losing a crown

If a crown falls out, make an appointment to see Drs. Ron and Kent Scoville or Dr. Oberg as soon as possible. Bring the crown with you. If you can’t come to see us right away and the tooth is causing pain, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive are.

*Note: Clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store.

Coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Never use an adhesive.

Abscess

An abscess is an infection that occurs around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious dental condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth. The infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated. If you suspect that you have an abscess, call Hillside Dental Associates immediately.

 Broken Jaw

Secure your mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief. Immediately go to an emergency room. And please call our doctors at Hillside Dental Associates.

A dental emergency such as a broken jaw needs follow up care

Cold or Canker Sores

Cold or canker sores can be very painful. They can linger if left untreated. Over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief but if sores persist for more than two weeks, call us at Hillside Dental Associates.

Note: These Health Tips are for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for emergency care by a professional.