Dental Emergencies

Although we always hope our patients can avoid a true dental emergency, it’s an unfortunate fact that many people will experience at least one dental emergency in their lifetime. If you find that you must deal with a dental emergency, there are some things you can to to help yourself or your family member between the time of the accident and when Dr. Kotre can see you.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can cover a wide range of situations, and include everything from an intense toothache to a knocked out tooth. Basically, it’s any sort of dental issue that requires the immediate intervention of a dentist.

What can I do about my dental emergency before the dentist sees me?

Depending on the type of dental emergency you are dealing with, there are steps you can take to help yourself before Dr. Kotre sees you for emergency dental treatment:

- Clove oil is an excellent, natural, and safe anesthetic. Simply dip a cotton pad in the clove oil and press on the affected area, wherever there is pain. Be sure that your toothache isn’t being caused by debris between the teeth — make sure to brush and floss carefully to see if that alleviates any of your discomfort.

- If your emergency concerns braces, be sure to tuck loose wires away from your lips and gums to avoid cuts and other abrasions. You can also cover sharp ends with orthodontic wax and/or gauze.

- A knocked-out tooth can be preserved easily in either a cup of saline or milk. Be sure to bring the tooth with you to your emergency appointment. - If you have broken a tooth, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the affected area. You can then use cold compresses to keep swelling down as necessary.

- Bitten tongue or lips, if minor, can be cared for at home as long as the bleeding stops. If the bleeding does not stop, go to the emergency room immediately. - Broken/fractured jaws require the immediate attention of either Dr. Kotre or your local emergency room. Cold compresses can keep the swelling down before medical attention is given.

All of the above issues DO require immediate professional attention. If you find you need to see Dr. Kotre for any dental emergency, please give us a call at 734-677-2156 Tuesday through Thursday and be sure to leave us the best time to call back so that we may reach you quickly. Sherry, our office manager, is in the office as early at 6 a.m. certain days, and although we would like to get you in as soon as we can, we also don’t want to wake up your house with a call that’s too early.

On days we are not in the office, including the weekends, please call the office at the above number. Dr. Kotre’s cell phone is on our outgoing voicemail message, and she is always available 24/7 to her patients of record. If for some reason Dr. Kotre is not available, an alternate number will be available on our voicemail for the dentist covering for her during her absence.