New Patients and Dental Emergencies
Our office welcomes new and existing patients with dental emergencies. Please contact Smile Sarasota at 941-957-3311 to arrange an appointment with Dr. Still. Listed below are some common problems and initial recommendations. Always seek professional help and call Dr. Still for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Abscess or Swelling:
• Potentially serious infection associated with the tooth and gums
• Usually requires antibiotics therapy
• Rinse mouth with a mild saltwater solution (1/2 tsp of table salt in 8 oz. of water) several times a day
• Contact our office as soon as possible
• Seek immediate medical attention if the swelling becomes life threatening
Bleeding After An Extraction
• Apply direct pressure and bite on a water moistened gauze sponge for 30 minutes
• If bleeding persists gently rinse the mouth with ice cold water and reapply packing and bite on gauze.
• Another option is to bite on a wet tea bag for 30 minutes
• If bleeding persists, call Smile Sarasota or the oral surgery office that did the extraction
Broken Tooth or Chipped Tooth:
• Rinse mouth with warm water
• Save any pieces
• Apply cold compresses if any swelling and to relieve pain
• If the area is very sensitive, you can use a cotton swab to apply clove oil (available from a local drug store or supermarket)
• Contact our office
Cracked Tooth:
• Symptoms include pain on chewing, pain with cold air, or pain for no reason at all
• Commonly occurring dental problem
• Teeth crack when subjected to the stress of chewing hard foods, ice, or hard objects. Usually associated with large silver or white fillings
• Avoid using the offended tooth
• The majority of cracked teeth (9 out of 10) can be treated by placement of a crown (cap). Complex cracks may involve the need for a root canal or extraction
• Contact our office for evaluation
Jaw Possibly Broken
• Go to the hospital immediately
• Apply cold compresses to the affected area
Knocked Out Tooth
• Save the tooth and rinse off gently if dirty. Do not scrub.
• If possible place back in the mouth and into the socket. Hold in place.
• If not, place the tooth in milk
• Get to the dentist as soon as possible
Lost Filling
• If no pain or discomfort, call for an appointment
• If needed, rinse the affected area and place a temporary patch filling to the area (Dentemp or similar from area pharmacies)
• If nothing else is available, sugarless gum can be placed in the cavity
Lost Crown, Lost Cap or Temporary Crown
• Make an appointment and bring in the crown
• In the meantime, attempt to seat the crown over the tooth using over-the-counter dental cement (Dentemp), toothpaste, or even a thin coat of Vaseline or denture adhesive.
• Do not use super glue
• If unable to do so and the tooth remains sensitive then place a little clove oil (local drug stores or supermarket) with a cotton swab to the site
Objects Caught Between Teeth
• Try to remove with dental floss or an interdental cleaner
• Avoid cutting the gums
• If you cannot remove the object contact our office
Soft Tissue Injury
• Injuries to the lip, cheek, and tongue can occur
• Clean the area gently with a cloth and peroxide
• Apply direct pressure to the area
• Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling
• If the bleeding does not stop or the wound is deep seek immediate medical attention
Toothache
• Call our office to make an appointment
• Rinse mouth with warm water
• Use dental floss or interdental cleaner to remove any debris
• Never place aspirin or any other pain killer directly on the site
• Take an over-the-counter analgesic (Ibuprofen or Tylenol)
• Placing an ice pack over the affected area can help
• If you have lost a filling or crown, dip a cotton swab in clove oil (available in pharmacies and supermarkets) and place it on the affected part of the tooth. Topical anesthetics such as Anbesol can also be used, especially for gum pain.
We are here for all your dental emergencies and Smile Sarasota welcomes all new patients!
