Emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye – and when they occur, there’s no time to waste. What should you do first if someone in your family needs emergency dental care? The dentists at Riviera Dental Care are trained to handle emergencies, offering superior dental care when the households in the Foley, Alabama, community need it most. Their staff knows every second counts, so it’s important to have a plan.

What to Do First in Emergency Dental Situations

1. Broken or Chipped Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water, using gauze to stop any bleeding. Use an ice pack or cold compress to ease the pain and reduce swelling. If possible, retrieve the pieces of tooth. Call your local family dentistry practice as soon as possible.

2. Knocked-Out Tooth

Without touching the root, pick up the tooth and gently rinse it off. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use gauze to stop bleeding if necessary. Sometimes it is possible to put the tooth back in the socket yourself, but if not, store it gently in a container and cover it with milk or water with a pinch of salt. Contact your dentist immediately to increase the chances of successful reattachment. A knocked-out tooth is usually salvageable if emergency dental care begins within an hour.

3. Toothache

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water and use floss to remove any food that may be stuck between teeth. If you notice swelling, place a cold compress on the affected area outside your mouth. Get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible.

4. Object Stuck in Teeth

If dental floss isn’t doing the trick, visit your dentist. Never risk injury to your gums or tooth’s surface by trying to remove an object with sharp tools, such as pins.

In the event of a dental emergency, call Riviera Dental Care at (251) 943-3368. If it’s after normal business hours, be sure to leave a detailed message with your name, contact information and description of symptoms. Visit them online for more information on emergency dental services.