We at Dr. Verma's Dental Office in Colorado Springs, CO understand that emergency dental situations arise unexpectedly.

In the event of a dental emergency, we will make every effort possible to attend to you within the same day, most likely WITHIN AN HOUR (during working hours), but please expect some wait in the reception area.

What to do if you have a fractured tooth or a tooth that has come out (avulsed tooth)?
If a tooth has fractured and you are having pain or sensitivity to hot/cold/sweets see Dr. Verma as soon as possible.  Depending on the extent and type of fracture you will be advised on the treatment options you have.  An avulsed tooth however is a true emergency - Dr. Verma advises that an avulsed tooth should be held between fingers by the crown portion of the tooth not the root portion and be gently rinsed under water and put back into its socket if possible..  If you are unable to do that put the tooth in cold milk and try to see your Dr. Verma right away - time is of the essence in this particular case.  Make an appointment to be seen as soon as possible.

What to do if you have a toothache?
A toothache is a common dental emergency. There could be multiple reasons for a toothache such as a decayed tooth, broken tooth, abscessed tooth, or infected tooth - use over the counter pain medications and call our office immediately.  Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. This is a dental emergency that is best dealt by a dental professional.

What to do for a bitten lip or tongue?
Apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling and to help stop the bleeding. If the area is bleeding profusely and does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.

What to do if objects get caught between the teeth?
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you cannot dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.

What to do if a tooth came out from the denture or a denture is broken?
The most likely dental emergency for denture wearers is a chipped denture tooth or one that has broken off. If you have a spare denture (all denture wearers should have one), use it until you can go to the dentist and have it fixed.  If the denture has cracked or broken in half do not try to stick it back yourself especially with super glue as this method is very unpredictable.  Some people may attempt to use cyanoacrylate to repair it, but it is generally not strong enough to hold the denture together.  Please see Dr. Verma as soon as possible.

What to do if a crown (cap) came out?
Occasionally, crowns (permanent or temporary) come off. This leaves the tooth unprotected, and often leads to increased sensitivity. You can temporarily remedy this problem by using temporary dental cement found at the drug store, and carefully re-cementing the crown. This may not be necessary if you can get to the dentist within a day or two. Never wait more than a few days to get a crown re-cemented as teeth move and shift very quickly and if the crown is not cemented soon it may not fit at all and will require the dentist to make a new crown.