When should you call Dr. Tieken?

Having to deal with a dental emergency during the summer while at work or on vacation is not something people often think about. And Dr. Tieken will tell you that being prepared can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. If you're facing a dental emergency this summer, we want you to call us immediately or let us know on our Facebook page. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number (please ask us for the number if you haven't already done so). We are always here to assist when your dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations; you may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.

Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and inspect your teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Schedule an appointment immediately.

Bitten Lip or Tongue: If you've bitten your lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is.

Object Caught In Teeth: If you have something caught between your teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If you've chipped or broken a piece off of your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth: If your tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or head to the nearest hospital. If you act quickly, it's possible to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth: If you have a loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled. And, you probably guessed it: give us a call.

We hope that helped you get prepared for any dental emergency this summer, and we wish you a GREAT rest of the summer!