Dental emergencies are often caused by trauma and accidents. Injury to your face or mouth area can be caused when you are playing contact sports or if you are involved in a car accident. Or, your face can hit the floor if you slipped and fell. As a result, your tooth can be broken, knocked loose or completely knocked out. At times like these, it is important to seek emergency dental care right away.

We always have special appointments set aside in our Baltimore dental office for patients who need to be seen right away due to an emergency. If your tooth is knocked out, there is a window of time where it is still possible to save your tooth and replant it back into the socket. It is crucial that you see us as soon as possible. If you wait too long before you see us, you may miss that opportunity in saving your tooth.

There are certain immediate procedures that you should follow in preserving your tooth as you are making your way to our clinic.

When your tooth is knocked out, there are gum tissue and roots that are still attached to the tooth. You want to preserve these tissues which are important in replanting your tooth back into your mouth. Pick up your tooth by the crown, not by the roots. Rinse the tooth gently with water to remove any dirt on it, making sure that the gum tissue and roots are not washed off. If possible, put the tooth back into the socket and try to keep it in place as you head to our dental clinic. If your tooth cannot stay in place, put it in some milk or in some saliva in a cup. Control your bleeding and put a cold compress on your face to control the swelling.

If your tooth is knocked out of position but is still attached to its socket, try to gently move your tooth back into position and call us immediately for an emergency appointment.

You only have one set of natural adult teeth. With proper care, your teeth should last you a lifetime. Therefore, if you ever sustain an injury to your teeth due to an accident or trauma, call us right away to make an emergency dental appointment. Every minute counts in saving your tooth. Follow the steps described above and see us right away. We will use every effort in saving your tooth and restoring your beautiful smile.