Dental emergencies are incredibly stressful, but knowing what to do can make a big difference. If you need an emergency dentist in Redding or Red Bluff, our team at Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen is here to support you in keeping your family’s smiles as healthy as possible. This quick guide to first aid for teeth will help you navigate the unexpected with as little stress as possible.
How do you know if you need an emergency dentist in Redding or Red Bluff?
Any dental pain or injury can feel urgent, but not every situation needs emergency dental care. Dental emergencies are oral health problems that need immediate attention to:
- Control bleeding
- Save a tooth
- Resolve severe pain
- Prevent worse damage or complications
We understand that it can be hard to decide whether you should call an emergency dentist near you or wait for regular business hours. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to discuss the issue and help you decide the best way to manage the problem. Our team is always here to help you get the care you need when you need it.
When to go to the emergency room for a dental emergency
Our team is prepared to handle a wide range of emergencies, but your health and safety always come first. In some cases, you may need to head to the ER to get immediate medical attention.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Signs of concussion
- Broken jaw or facial bones
- Loss of consciousness
- High fever with swelling in the face or neck
What to put in a dental first aid kit
Prompt emergency dental care is the best way to protect your smile when the unexpected happens, but first aid for teeth is just as important. Adding a few items to any first aid kit ensures that you have everything you need to manage things until you can get to an emergency dentist in Redding or Red Bluff.
- Nitrile gloves
- Clean gauze
- Dental floss
- A clean container with a lid or plastic bag that seals well
- Orthodontic wax and/or sugar-free chewing gum
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Temporary filling material
- Temporary dental cement
- A dental mirror
- Salt (such as paper packets you can get at a restaurant
- Instant ice pack
- Our information:
- Moore & Pascarella Redding
2440 Sonoma Street
Redding, CA 96001
(530) 246-7626 - Moore & Pascarella Red Bluff
1010 Jefferson St
Red Bluff, CA 96080
(530) 527-7800
- Moore & Pascarella Redding
Keep a dental first aid kit with you if you or anyone in your family participate in activities that are risky for dental health. Think team sports of any kind (not just contact sports), bouncing on trampolines, skating, even weightlifting.
While you might think of sports like football being more likely to lead to mouth injuries, it’s those times when you’re not wearing a mouthguard that can be riskier!
Dental first aid: What to do for a dental emergency
Just like any unexpected injury, knowing first aid for dental emergencies can minimize the chances of more serious complications and set you up for a successful visit to an emergency dentist near you.
1. What do you do if you break a tooth?
- Gently swish room temperature water to clear out any debris from your mouth.
- Save any piece of the tooth to bring with you to the dental office if you can.
- Cover any sharp edges or sensitive areas of the tooth with orthodontic wax. Sugar-free gum can work in a pinch, but may cause sensitivity.
- If there is any swelling or the cracked tooth happened after an impact, holding a cold compress against your face in that area can help.
- Contact us as soon as possible to determine next steps.
Caution! Cracks and fractures that reach the inner part of the tooth can allow bacteria into the tooth pulp and lead to serious infections if left untreated. A broken or cracked tooth is always worth a call!
2. What do you do if a dental crown falls out? What do you do if a filling falls out?
- If possible, try to save any dental work that falls out and bring it with you to your dental appointment.
- Gently rinse with room temperature water. If the tooth can tolerate it, use a soft toothbrush to gently clean the area.
- Cover the exposed area with orthodontic wax or temporary filling material if the tooth is very sensitive.
- Get in touch with our team to determine the best way to proceed. In some cases, you may be able to put the crown, filling, or bridge back in place with temporary dental cement until you can get into the office. However, it’s always best to talk to a dentist first.
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you can see us to either put the crown back in or have a new one made.
Caution! Never use household adhesives or superglue in your mouth! This can cause serious damage to your tissues and make the tooth more difficult or impossible to restore properly.
3. What should you do for a severe toothache?
- Gently rinse out your mouth with warm water. Adding about ½ of a teaspoon of salt to warm water can help soothe pain from sores and keep things clean.
- Floss the area carefully to remove any debris or stuck food, which can cause pressure that feels like a toothache.
- If appropriate for your physical condition, take over-the-counter pain medication.
- If there is any swelling, hold a cold compress to the outside of the face in the affected area.
- Call us to discuss your symptoms and the best way to resolve your issue. This may include prescription antibiotics or an emergency dental visit for toothache.
Caution! Never hold aspirin or other pain medications in your mouth or against your gums. This can cause more harm and even tissue burns.
Caution! Don’t ignore a toothache and hope it gets better on its own, especially if there is any swelling or the pain doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain killers. Infections from dental problems can spread and become serious medical emergencies, so prompt treatment is important!
4. What do you do if you knock out a tooth? What do you do for a dislodged tooth?
- Rinse out your mouth with lukewarm water, but do not swish vigorously.
- If the tooth is partially dislodged or pushed out of its normal position, use clean fingers to gently try to push the tooth back into position, but don’t force it. Only move the tooth if it moves easily.
- For a fully knocked-out tooth, do not touch the root. Pick it up by the crown of the tooth (the part you can normally see in your mouth).
- Gently rinse off any dirt or debris but don’t scrub or remove any tissue from the root.
- Carefully try to put the tooth back in the socket if possible, but don’t force it. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, put it in a clean container and completely cover it with cow’s milk or the person’s own saliva.
- Gently bite a piece of clean gauze to hold the tooth in place.
- Get in touch with an emergency dentist near you immediately. Your tooth has the best chance of recovery if you can get treatment within an hour.
Caution! If the tooth was lost or dislodged from trauma to the head or face, check for signs of concussion, serious head or neck injury, or broken bones. In these cases, medical attention at the emergency room may take priority. We’ll be here to restore your smile once your immediate health concerns have been resolved.
We’re proud to be a trusted emergency dentist in Redding and Red Bluff
Our team at Moore, Pascarella & Heinzen understands how overwhelming dental emergencies can be. We’re here to help you get the care you need as quickly and comfortably as possible. With comprehensive emergency dentistry in Redding and Red Bluff, we’re always here to keep our patient’s smiles as healthy as possible.
