Dental First Aid

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Lost a Filling?
Fillings sometimes fall out due to deeper decay. It is important to call us as soon as possible. If you are in pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. Eat soft foods and brush and floss the area to keep food from collecting where your filling was until you can request an appointment to see us.

Broken a Tooth?
Breaks in teeth fall into roughly three categories.View links below to see a further explanation.
Those caused by traumatic injury
Those caused by decay
Those caused by a natural weakening of tooth structure over time

Crown comes off?
Crowns come off for various reasons, sometimes because of decay under the crown. Call us as soon as it comes off. While it may not seem like an emergency, we do want to see you as soon as possible. Until your visit, you can often re-cement the crown temporarily with toothpaste or FasTeeth®. It is important to have your crowned tooth protected, so do not delay.

Gums Bleeding?
Bleeding at the gum line is often one of the first signs of gum disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Rinse gums four times a day with 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1/2 glass warm water. Call us during business hours to schedule an evaluation.

Pain near Wisdom Teeth?
Wisdom tooth pain doesn't go away! Often the teeth must be removed, but there are methods of saving wisdom teeth in some cases. You may ingest over-the-counter pain medicine, but do not put aspirin directly on your teeth or gums. If there is swelling or severe pain, call our office as soon as possible. If you have only mild pain, call us during business hours to schedule an evaluation.

Have a Toothache?
You can't ignore a toothache--infections can get worse quickly. If you are in severe pain or have swelling, call our office as soon as possible. If you have mild pain and no swelling, call us during office hours. You may ingest over-the-counter pain medicine, but do not put aspirin directly on your teeth or gums. Also, do not use a heat pack on the swollen area.

Knocked Out a Tooth?
This is a time to act very quickly. Find the tooth and all broken pieces. Rinse tooth and roots gently with water and re-implant roots at once in socket. If that is not possible, place them in mouth. Dr. Kvitko suggests keeping a container of Save-A-ToothT on hand. Putting the tooth in this solution as soon as possible dramatically improves the chances that the tooth can be saved. You can purchase Save-A-ToothT from the Save-A-ToothT web site at www.save-a-tooth.com, or by calling 1-888-788-6684. If have any difficulty finding this product let us know. Apply an ice pack and call our office immediately. If the tooth is re-implanted and stabilized within one hour, there is a good chance of saving the tooth. If the tooth is in the Save-A-Tooth solution it will last longer than an hour, but time is still of the essence.

Have a Canker Sore?
Apply an over-the-counter topical anesthetic such as Anbesol®, Green Cross® Toothache Drops or Chloraseptic® Spray, to area to reduce pain, but do not put aspirin directly on the sore. The sore will likely take 7 to 10 days to heal. Call us during office hours if the sore persists after 10 days, or if you would like a prescription-strength product.

Broken Denture?
Remove and save loose pieces. Call us during business hours to schedule a visit. Dentures can often be repaired quickly on site or by our dental lab. However, do not use do-it-yourself fix-it kits or glue. Also, do not wear a broken appliance--this can damage existing teeth or gums. If you have a cosmetic emergency, you may call us anytime and we will do our best to expedite your repair. Remember, however, that often the reason dentures break (especially down the middle) is because they no longer fit properly. A broken denture can sometimes be a sign that it is time for a new set.

Chipped Tooth?
Chipped teeth can disintegrate with time. Keep chipped area clean, and eat soft foods until chip is repaired. If it is a small chip, call our office during business hours to schedule the repair. If it is a large or deep fracture, call us as soon as possible.

Teething Pain?
Applying cold usually helps. This can be in the form of a cold teething ring, teething ointments or finger massage. Do not put a teething ring in the freezer--the water will be too cold and could cause frostbite. Consult your pediatrician for over-the-counter pain medication, if necessary. Keep dangerous objects out of reach, as the child may want to put them in his or her mouth.