In The Event of an Emergency

Stay calm. If your emergency is life-threatening, dial 911 for Emergency Medical Services or go immediately to a hospital emergency room.

Focus on stopping the bleeding and protecting the injured tooth or area by following the appropriate instructions in this section. Never take aspirin or ibuprofen for a dental emergency because they are anticoagulants which can cause excessive bleeding. To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label. After you have begun slowing or have stopped the bleeding, visit your local emergency dentist in Spring Valley.

Severe Pain

The most common causes are debris lodged under the gum line, a lost filling or crown, a cracked or broken tooth, or an infection. Only a thorough examination by your Dentist can determine the underlying cause of severe pain.

Until you see your Dentist, apply ice to the painful area for 10-20 minutes of every hour. To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

It may be possible to reattach the pieces to your tooth – only the Dentist can tell you for sure. Take the following steps and visit our emergency dental office near Spring Valley right away.

For the injured person:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply gauze to the area and use firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Try to find the chipped or broken tooth pieces right away.

When the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the injured area to minimize swelling. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of constant, firm pressure, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.

To save the chipped or damaged tooth:

• Save the tooth’s pieces and rinse the pieces and your mouth with warm water.
• If the tooth’s pieces are dirty, place a towel or dishcloth in a sink (so the pieces cannot fall into the drain), and gently rinse them.
• Place the pieces in a small container and cover them with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.

Lost Filling or Crown

You can relieve pain caused by air in contact with the exposed part of your tooth by using clove oil (available over-the-counter in pharmacies and supermarkets). Just dip a cotton swab in clove oil and apply it to the exposed part of your tooth. Putting an ice pack on your face over the area that hurts also may relieve the pain.

Filling:

• If you found the filling, put it in a safe place and take it with you when you see your dentist.
• To make your tooth more comfortable, fill the hole in your tooth with tooth wax or cement (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). Do not use any household adhesives in your mouth.

Crown:

• If you found the crown, you may temporarily replace it yourself until you see your dentist.
• Gently clean any debris from the inside of your crown.
• To the inside of your crown, apply denture adhesive, dental cement or toothpaste before slipping the crown back in place to protect your tooth.

Pain, Swelling, or Abscess

See your dentist right away because gum pain or swelling can be the symptoms of an abscess (infection) that forms in gum tissue or in a tooth’s root and the area that surrounds it. There are many reasons why gums can swell, become painful, or abscess. Only a thorough exam by your Dentist can identify the underlying cause.

If the abscess ruptures, you may experience a sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid from the swollen or painful area. Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately.

Braces

For a day or two after braces or retainers have been adjusted, you may experience discomfort. To help alleviate discomfort, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.

Calling Hospitality Dental for Emergency Services

At Hospitality Dental, we offer fast-plan appointments for all non-life-threatening dental emergencies including braces and damaged teeth for all Spring Valley residents and other Las Vegas Valley patients.

For emergency contact or general appointments, contact our dental office now.

Phone: (702) 933-7275