Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Dr. Brisman is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week so his Greenwich Village, NY, patients can find the care and relief they need for lots of emergency and urgent care situations.

Dental Emergencies

by David L. Brisman, DMD

What conditions are considered dental emergencies?

Lots of conditions constitute emergencies, including:

• lost teeth
• broken dentures
• lost fillings
• broken or lost crowns
• broken teeth
• pain from abscesses, swollen gums or infections

While some cases require immediate treatment after hours, others such as pain may be able to be treated with prescription painkillers until office hours resume the next day.

What should I do if I crack my tooth?

If you crack a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and place cold compresses on your cheek over the area. Call Dr. Brisman's office right away for an appointment or further instructions.

What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

If an adult (permanent) tooth is knocked out, try replacing it gently in the socket without touching the root. If you can't, keep it moist between your cheek and gum or in milk, and call the dentist immediately. If you're away from home, visit an emergency room for immediate care so the tooth has the best chance of being successfully “replanted.”

Are emergency visits only during office hours?

No; no matter when your emergency occurs – even in the middle of the night – you can call our office 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get the treatment you need in a hurry.

What can I do to avoid dental emergencies?

Protect your teeth with regular brushing, flossing and regular dental visits, and avoid potentially harmful activities like:

• using your teeth to open packages or cut things;
• wear a mouth guard when playing sports'
• don't chew hard candies, ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels, all of which can crack teeth;
• avoid super-sticky candies that can create suction to loosen fillings.