Dental emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times—during dinner at a restaurant with friends, over a long holiday weekend when your dentist’s office is closed, or even just in the middle of a workday deadline. Although you may be able to control the pain, bleeding or swelling yourself for a brief period of time, it is important to call your dentist and get treated as soon as possible to avoid infections or long-term damage to your dental health.

Below are some tips for handling emergency dental problems that pop up when you least expect them:

• Chipped or Cracked Tooth: If you’ve bitten down on something hard and experience a sharp pain, you may have cracked or chipped a tooth. A damaged tooth requires attention as soon as possible, since bacteria can easily grow in an area where a tooth has broken. If you suspect you’ve cracked or chipped a tooth—even if you don’t have immediate or extreme discomfort—call your dentist and schedule the earliest available appointment.
• Toothache: Start by calling your dentist for an appointment, but while you are waiting to be seen, you may be able to alleviate some of the discomfort yourself. Check for any type of foreign object or food that could be lodged in the gum around the affected tooth. Food particles may be able to be removed through flossing. Pain can usually be controlled with a cold compress on the area around your mouth or an oral numbing gel. Pain relievers like acetaminophen may also help. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you have seen your dentist and ruled out any significant problems.
• Knocked-out Tooth: If one of your teeth has been knocked out by force, rinse the tooth carefully with water. A tooth stored for a very brief time in a cup of milk may be able to be replaced into the gum. Never pick your tooth up by the root or try to force it back into the socket in your mouth. Call your dentist and ask to be seen quickly for an emergency dental appointment.

Whether you have a dental emergency in the Fort Thomas, KY, area or simply need a regular dental cleaning and exam, turn to the skilled, compassionate professionals at Pfeiffer Family Dentistry. As specialists in teeth whitening, root canals and veneers, their caring staff provides quality routine and emergency dental services you can trust. Call (859) 441-1900 today to schedule your appointment, or visit them online to learn more about the practice and their services.