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Dr. Todd Corbitt

4405 Milestrip Rd. | Buffalo, NY 14219

Medicaid and State Insurance Accepted!

Most Common Dental Emergencies & What to Do

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Dental emergencies can be very scary, but when you know what to do, it can make the situation a lot less scary. Here are the most common dental emergencies and what you can do to be a pro in these emergency situations.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Let’s start with perhaps the most panic-inducing dental emergency, so if it happens before you finish reading this blog, you’ll know exactly what to do. Our first piece of advice: don’t panic! You aren’t the first person who has had their tooth knocked out, and you won’t be the last. (If you’re helping someone with a knocked-out tooth, you can repeat that line to them to help them calm down!)

The first thing to remember with a knocked-out tooth is how to hold it. Don’t grab the tooth by the root, or the bottom. Essentially, you need to pick up the tooth by the part that you see in your mouth – the crown. Even better would be if you picked up the tooth with gloves on or with a tissue. We understand that in emergencies these aren’t always on hand, but if they are, utilize them!

If the tooth is dirty, rinse it immediately, and if you can, try to place it back in the socket while you’re on the way to see us. If you can’t put it back in the socket, keep the tooth moist at all times by keeping it in a glass of milk or in your cheek. Notice we didn’t say tap water! Don’t keep your tooth in tap water, or try to wash it with any soap or cleaners. Come see us or any emergency dentist within 30 minutes so we can try to save the tooth.

Chipped Tooth

Ouch! We know a chipped tooth can hurt, but try to stay calm when it happens. Adrenaline and anxiety can sometimes make the pain seem more amplified. If you have a chipped tooth, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve the pain and prevent infection. Any salt will do, but if you have kosher, use that instead of table salt. If there’s any bleeding, apply pressure to the chipped tooth with a clean piece of gauze. If there’s swelling, apply an ice pack, and then call us immediately!

Remember, Stay Calm, & Call McKinley Crossing Dental

If you’re having a dental emergency and don’t know what to do, call us and we’ll walk you through the steps as you’re coming in for your emergency appointment. Remember, everything will be fine; just call us right away!

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