The holiday season is the time for festive gatherings and indulging in delicious treats, but sometimes, unexpected dental emergencies can arise. It can be overwhelming to figure out what to do when you are caught off-guard, especially when most dental offices are closed during the holidays.

But fear not! Here are some tips on how to handle the most common types of dental emergencies at home before you can reach out to our office or an emergency dental clinic.

Toothaches

When experiencing toothaches, first remove any irritating debris from your mouth by rinsing it with a mixture of salt in warm water. If needed, gently use a floss to clean between your teeth. If swelling occurs, hold a cold compress on the cheek to reduce the swelling and pain. You can also take ibuprofen and acetaminophen to alleviate the pain before you visit a dentist.

Broken Teeth

A cracked tooth or tooth injury can lead to a broken tooth. If this happens seek treatment immediately. Until you can get to the dental office, you can rinse the area gently with warm water and recover any loose pieces. If a piece of the tooth has broken off, store it in milk or salted water until it can be replaced by a dentist. To stop any bleeding, hold a small piece of gauze on the affected area to absorb blood. If swelling occurs, apply a cold compress on your cheek near the source to reduce the pain and swelling.

Dislodged Tooth

If your tooth has fallen out of your mouth, quickly retrieve the tooth, rinse gently, and carefully place it back into the socket (do not push). If it does not slip back into the socket, place the tooth in a small, clean container and fill it with a little milk or slightly salted water. The tooth may be saved if you contact your dentist immediately to quickly and correctly replace it. If you are unable to be seen the same day, do not go to sleep with the loose tooth in the socket.

Abscess

An abscess is an infection occurring around the tooth root or in the space between your gums and teeth. If you notice a pimple-sized bump or swelling on your gums, call your dentist as soon as possible. To alleviate the pain, you can rinse your mouth with a solution of warm water and salt. The saltwater rinse will draw the pus from the gums to the surface. Do this several times a day to help ease the pain and swelling.

Loose or Lost Fillings

Loose or lost fillings can leave your tooth exposed and vulnerable. You can use a small piece of sugar-free gum and place it on the hole in the tooth until your next visit to the dentist.

Something Stuck Between Teeth

If something is stuck between your teeth, use dental floss and gently try to remove the object. Try to get it out as soon as possible before it leads to an infection in your gums. Do not use a sharp object to extract the object from your teeth as it can cut your gums or scratch the tooth surface. If you continue to have difficulty, contact a dentist for assistance.

Prevention is key!

To avoid a holiday dental crisis, it's crucial to maintain good oral hygiene. Try to avoid hard candies and chewy treats when indulging in holiday snacks. Keep up with your regular brushing and flossing routine, especially if you're travelling, and rinse out your mouth with water or chew sugarless gum after every meal to help wash out food residue.

If you haven't been to see us in a while, be sure to schedule a check-up appointment so we can help address any issues, even before the holidays. If you have dental insurance, be sure to use it for any necessary treatments before your insurance resets in the new year.

With every dental emergency, it is very important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Our dental team is dedicated to helping you with any incident and restoring your confidence and your oral health. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact us and we'd be happy to help you or redirect you to the nearest emergency clinic.