Dental Emergency Advice

AT HAMMOND AND ELLIS, WE CARE ABOUT EVERY aspect of your oral health. Unfortunately, no matter how careful all of us are, or how much we try, sometimes life hands us emergencies. It’s a fact. In these situations we know the best thing is to be prepared, so we put together some tips for you.

Although some dental injuries may seem like a minor thing at the time, your teeth or gums should not be ignored. Small issues can be potentially serious—with risks of more permanent damage, or more extensive (and expensive) repair down the road.

Here are some of our team’s thoughts about common emergencies:

Toothache?

Your first step is to rinse with warm water and be sure nothing is lodged. Apply an ice pack if needed to reduce the swelling, and call us as soon as possible. We probably need to take a look to see what is causing your pain.

Chipped & Broken Tooth?

Although it may sound sorta gross, save the pieces of the tooth if you can. If you are bleeding, apply pressure with some gauze to the area. See us as soon as you can.

A Knocked Out Tooth?

“Time is of the essence” in trying to save a tooth, as the video below shows.

A Dislodged Tooth?

If you are having pain, apply a cold compress or use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. Call us, and get in here to see us right away.

Something Caught Between Your Teeth?

Sometimes dental floss is all you need for this problem. If that doesn’t do the trick, please don’t resort to any type of sharp object. If you can’t dislodge it yourself, call us to help.

Lose A Filling?

Believe it or not, as a temporary measure until you can get in here to see us, you can stick a piece of sugarless chewing gum into the hole. Remember, this is a very temporary solution. Call us right away to fix the filling before anything else happens to your tooth.

Lost A Crown?

Come in as soon as possible and be sure to bring the crown. In the meantime, try to slip the crown back, or use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area.

Broken Braces Wires?

If the wire sticks out and is poking you (ouch), try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a comfortable position. If you can’t do that, cover it with orthodontic wax or a piece of gauze until you can see us or your orthodontist. Don’t try to cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or (worse) breathing it in.
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Remember to be careful out there! For those of you who need it, make sure to wear a mouth guard to prevent emergencies. We want to make sure you keep all of your teeth…for life!

Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, to become a fan of Hammond & Ellis our Facebook page by clicking the “Like” button! We look forward to your next visit to our office, hopefully not for an emergency.