A toothache can be a sign of tooth decay. But it's also a symptom of other things, including gum disease and abscesses. If you are experiencing a persistent toothache, it's important to see your dentist as soon as possible to make sure it's not something serious. In the meantime, you can try an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help with any pain or discomfort. Avoid placing aspirin directly on your gums. Also, try rinsing your mouth with salt water to relieve the pain. Mix one tablespoon of salt and one teaspoon of water together, and then swish the mixture in your mouth for about one minute. Afterward, spit it out and rinse your mouth with water to remove any remaining salt. You can do this several times throughout the day as needed.

A loose tooth is one that's not firmly attached to the jawbone. It's usually the result of a blow to the mouth or from biting down on something hard and crunchy, like ice. If you experience a loose tooth, the best thing to do is call our emergency dental office right away. We'll be able to give you advice on what to do at home until you can get into the office. In the meantime, avoid eating on the affected side of your mouth to prevent food or other debris from getting lodged in the socket. And try not to touch the tooth by the root to avoid moving it more. If it's been knocked out entirely, gently rinse it off and store it in milk or water until you can come to see us. We might be able to help re-implant the tooth! While you're waiting, apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to help reduce swelling. That's always a good idea for any kind of dental emergency. We hope this never happens to you, but if it does, just stay calm and give us a call for help.

A sudden blow to the face can cause a tooth to break or chip. If the tooth is knocked out completely, it can be tricky to save the tooth unless you see a periodontist right away. The sooner you can see a dentist, the better your chances of saving the tooth. The dentist may be able to put you under anesthesia or use some other type of sedative that will numb the area where the tooth was and make it easier for the emergency dentist to reattach the tooth. Until you can see a professional at an emergency clinic, rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress on your face to minimize swelling. Avoid trying to replace the tooth yourself because it may not fit well in your mouth and could irritate your gums.

Your dentist will try to repair your broken crown as soon as possible. If a filling is lost, your dentist will use a temporary filling to protect the tooth until the permanent one can be made. If a crown falls off, be sure to contact your dentist right away to prevent your tooth from further damage. Sometimes a crown can be re-cemented if it's still in good shape, but if it's too damaged to be repaired, a new crown will need to be made, and you'll be fitted with a temporary one in the meantime. Again, don't try to repair it yourself with glue – it's not a good idea! 

Many things can cause acute or sudden dental pain. It can indicate an infection or inflammation of the pulp tissue inside the tooth. Other causes include food getting trapped between teeth or in the gums, inhalation of chemicals like household cleaners and beauty products, and more serious issues like a damaged nerve or abscess. If you think you may have an infected tooth, contact us as soon as possible. We may need to prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and avoid more serious complications.