The holidays are a wonderful, hectic time filled with family, fun, and food. It’s also when dental offices may have limited hours or be closed some days. If you have a dental emergency during the holidays, resist the urge to panic.

At Herald Square Dental, we do everything possible to see our emergency patients as soon as possible. In the meantime, knowing what to do in a holiday dental emergency can minimize your pain and preserve your tooth until you can be seen.

Toothaches

If you have a toothache, rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater throughout the day. This helps keep bacteria at bay and relieve pain. An ice pack on the cheek and over-the-counter pain medications can also help. A few drops of clove oil mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil can also relieve pain. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and place it over the tooth, changing it every few hours.

Abscess

If you have a toothache combined with severe cheek swelling or a noticeable bump on the gums (resembling a pimple), it may be an abscess. An abscess is a severe infection that can spread to other areas of the body and is a genuine dental emergency. Contact our office via our 24/7 online chat if you have an abscess, and we can advise you on what to do until we can see you in our offices. In the meantime, you can control the pain with ice packs and medication such as Ibuprofen.

If you develop a fever or have difficulty breathing or speaking, visit your local emergency room. The ER can provide emergency treatment until we can see you during office hours.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

Whether you bite down on a piece of hard candy, fall on an icy sidewalk, or get an elbow to the face playing basketball, a chipped or broken tooth is a dental emergency. Try to save any pieces of the damaged teeth by rinsing them with warm (not hot) water and placing them in water to keep them moist until you can see your dentist. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a gauze pad to minimize bleeding. OTC medications and ice packs help reduce swelling and relieve pain.

A lost filling should be handled in the same way as a broken tooth. If you can find the filling, save it to bring to your dental appointment. If the tooth has sharp edges, cover them with gauze.

Knocked Out Tooth

Save the tooth and rinse the root with water. Do not touch the root or scrub the tooth, as you could damage the delicate tissue attached. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket. If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in a container of milk or salt water. Contact us immediately to request an emergency appointment.

Loose Tooth

A loose tooth is not an urgent emergency, but you should see a dentist as soon as possible once the office is open. In the meantime, apply an ice pack to the cheek and take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. Avoid wiggling or touching a loose tooth. Chew on the opposite side of the mouth and avoid crunchy or hard foods until you see your dentist.

Lost Dental Crown

Dental crowns can sometimes dislodge when you are chewing something. If yours comes off, rinse it with warm water and gently dry it. If it is in pieces, save any pieces you can find. You can find dental cement at most drugstores. Place a bead of dental cement on the crown and place it back on the tooth. Do NOT use super glue or any other adhesive! Contact our office to schedule an appointment so we can ensure a secure fit.

We hope you enjoy the holidays without the stress of a dental emergency, but life can throw us unexpected curves. If you have a dental emergency during the holidays, call us immediately at Herald Square Dental Phone Number (212) 689-0024 or visit our website and use our 24-hour chat feature for guidance when the office is closed. Our dentists will see you as soon as possible to alleviate your pain and restore your oral health.