What can you do if you need dental care that can’t wait for a regular appointment? At Deluxe Dental, we’re here for our patients 24/7, and that includes emergency dentistry.

Just call us at (208) 922-1755 and we’ll get you taken care of. Dental emergencies are best handled by dentists, which is why we’re here when you need us–any time you need us.

Most Common Dental Emergencies

When people contact us about a dental emergency, there are the most common reports we hear:

  • Toothache
  • Chipped or broken tooth
  • Loose tooth
  • Knocked out tooth
  • Food or other objects caught in teeth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Gum, cheek, and lip injuries

While all these situations are potential dental emergencies, there are also some steps you can take at home to potentially resolve the situation and/or evaluate its seriousness.

Toothache

If you have a toothache, start by rinsing your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Look for lodged food or debris around the tooth. If you see any, try to remove it with dental floss or a toothbrush.

Look for signs of infection:

  • The area is warmer than the surrounding teeth
  • The tooth is discolored
  • There is a pimple-like sore on the gums
  • A foul smell in the area
  • Discharge from tooth or gums
  • You have a fever

If you see signs of infection, contact us immediately.

You can try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever to control the pain. Old advice says put it directly on the gums–don’t do that! Take pain relievers according to the package directions. You can apply a cold pack to your cheek near the area.

If pain is so severe that it wakes up you, doesn’t let you sleep, or keeps you from your normal routine you may need emergency dentistry, contact us immediately.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

If you chip or break a tooth, try to get all the pieces out of your mouth–don’t swallow any. Rinse your mouth with warm water. If you’re bleeding, you can apply gauze or a wet tea bag to the area for 10 minutes or until bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth for additional help with swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. Take over-the-counter pain medication, especially anti-inflammatories (like ibuprofen).

Minor chips might only need to be fixed for cosmetic reasons, but if your tooth is sensitive after injury, you should consider it an emergency.

Loose Tooth

Natural teeth have a small amount of give–it helps them deal with bite forces. But if your tooth is excessively loose, it might need emergency attention.

If your tooth was loosened by trauma, remove any fragments from your mouth to avoid swallowing them. Gently press the tooth back in place and hold it with your teeth and tongue. If it won’t go back in place, don’t force it. Rinse your mouth gently to avoid loosening the tooth more. If you’re bleeding, you can apply gauze or a tea bag to the base of the tooth. Over-the-counter pain medication or an ice pack can help control discomfort.

Consider your loose tooth an emergency and contact us right away.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If you have knocked out a tooth, you might be able to save it. Find the tooth and pick it up gently by the crown (the normally visible, white part). Rinse it gently with warm water to remove dirt–don’t brush it off with your hand.

If possible, fit the tooth back into place. Be careful: make sure the tooth is facing the right way, and never try to force it in. If you can’t get the tooth back in place, you should put it in some warm, salty water or hold it between your cheek and gums.

Contact us immediately! Emergency dentistry will most likely save a tooth if you see us within an hour of having the tooth knocked out.

Objects Caught in Teeth

If you have an object caught in your teeth, start by rinsing your mouth. If you can’t dislodge it that way, use dental floss or a plastic or wooden toothpick. Don’t try to remove the object with a metal pick–you might damage your teeth.

If you can’t get the object out and it hurts, please contact us.

Lost Crown or Filling

If a filling or crown comes out of your tooth, first get it out of your mouth–you don’t want to swallow it. Keep the restoration.

If  you can fit the dental crown back in place, you can try to hold it on with over-the-counter temporary dental cement. This can also be used to fill a hole left by a lost filling.

Don’t use any glue or tape on the restoration unless it’s specifically designed for the purpose. No superglue or Gorilla Glue!

Cut Lips, Tongue, and Cheeks

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Press gauze or a wet tea bag to the bleeding area. You can also apply an ice pack to help control bleeding and discomfort.

Contact us if the bleeding won’t stop.

Avoiding Dental Emergencies

Sometimes accidents happen, but there are also many things that you can do to try to reduce your accident risk and minimize emergency dentistry. Purchase and wear a custom mouthguard. Make regular dental checkups. Follow our instructions to care for your teeth and your restorations.

This will reduce your risk of dental emergencies.

Do You Need Emergency Dentistry in Kuna?

If you need emergency dental care in Kuna, please call (208) 922-1755 today for an appointment at Deluxe Dental.