A lot of the most commonly asked questions about dental emergencies are about what you can do at home. We get it—you want to avoid a trip to the dentist. While there are steps you can take to manage urgent dental situations, it’s important to remember that teeth can’t heal themselves. 

To help you make the best decision for your health, Hunt Family Dentistry offers tips on what you can do at home until you reach our Frisco emergency dentist for care. 

Toothache 

What’s Happening: 

A toothache can be caused by cavities, infections, or gum disease. Pain ranges from mild to severe and may be accompanied by swelling or sensitivity to hot and cold. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Rinse: Use warm salt water to reduce inflammation and soothe the pain. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. 
• Relieve: Use over-the-counter pain relievers and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to manage discomfort. 
• Floss: Do this gently around the affected tooth to remove any trapped food particles that may be causing pain. 

What NOT to Do: 

• Apply Pain Relievers to Gums: Don’t apply aspirin or other OTC pain relief options directly to your tooth or gums, as this can irritate surrounding tissue. 
• Ignore Persistent Pain: Discomfort that gets worse or doesn’t let up is usually a sign of an underlying problem requiring professional attention. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

Seek immediate care if the pain is severe, lasts more than a day or two, or is accompanied by swelling, fever, or signs of an infection.

Chipped or Broken Tooth 

What’s Happening: 

A chipped or broken tooth can occur from trauma, decay, or biting down on something hard. This can expose the tooth’s nerve and cause sensitivity or pain. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Save Pieces: Keep any broken pieces of the tooth, if possible. Place them in a container of milk or saliva. 
• Rinse: Swish some warm water in your mouth to clean the area and provide some pain relief. 
• Relieve: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce any swelling and number the area. 

What NOT to Do: 

• Chew on That Side: Avoid chewing on the injured side of your mouth to avoid further damage and save yourself some pain.
• Attempt DIY Repairs: Don’t try to file down any rough edges or repair the tooth yourself, even with at-home kits. You could do more harm than good. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

Contact our dentist immediately. Even small chips can lead to bigger problems if not addressed promptly. We have a variety of treatment options available, from composite fillings to tooth bonding to dental crowns. 

Knocked-Out Tooth 

What’s Happening: 

Accidentally knocking out a tooth is an alarming experience, but acting quickly increases the chance of saving it. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Save the Tooth: Hold the tooth by the crown (the top part), not the roots, and rinse it gently with milk or saliva to remove dirt. 
• Reinsert: Try to place the tooth back in its socket if it’s clean and fits easily without force. Hold it in place by biting down gently on a clean cloth or gauze. 
• Store: If you can’t reinsert the tooth, store the tooth in a glass of milk or spit to preserve it until you reach us. 

What NOT to Do: 

• Handle the Tooth Incorrectly: Try to be gentle when holding the lost tooth, and don’t scrub its roots or use soap. 
• Store in Water: You might assume this is the best solution, but storing a tooth in water can damage the cells on its surface that help with reimplantation. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

Visit Hunt Family Dentistry immediately. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being reimplanted within an hour. 

Lost Filling or Crown 

What’s Happening: 

When a filling or crown comes loose, it can expose the tooth underneath, leading to sensitivity and discomfort. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Fix (for Now): Use over-the-counter dental cement or temporary filling material to protect the exposed area until you see our dentist. 
• Relieve: Try some of the pain relief methods we’ve already mentioned if you have pain or discomfort.

What NOT to Do: 

• Use Household Adhesives: There’s a reason stores sell cement specifically for teeth. Never use glue to reattach the filling or crown. 
• Chew on That Side: Like with fractured teeth, avoid chewing with the affected tooth since it now lacks protection and strength. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

Schedule an appointment for urgent dental care as soon as possible to have the filling or crown properly replaced by our restorative dentist. 

Abscess or Infection 

What’s Happening: 

An abscess is a serious dental infection that can cause swollen gums, severe pain, a foul taste in your mouth, or even fever. Left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Rinse: Salt can naturally clean your mouth, so rinse with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and draw out pus. 
• Relieve: Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort until you can see a professional. 

What NOT to Do: 

• Try to Drain an Abscess: Never attempt this yourself, as you can end up making matters worse and spreading the infection. 
• Delay Treatment: Infections are a medical emergency, and waiting can put your whole body at risk. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

Call our team immediately if you suspect an abscess. For severe cases, go to the emergency room. 

Object Stuck Between Teeth 

What’s Happening: 

A piece of food or another object stuck between your teeth can lead to discomfort or irritation. 

What You Can Do at Home: 

• Floss: Do this gently to attempt to dislodge the object. Avoid snapping the floss, as this might harm your gums. 
• Try Alternatives: You can use a dental pick or water flosser if flossing doesn’t work, but be careful to avoid causing more irritation. 

What NOT to Do: 

• Use Sharp Objects: Needles, toothpicks, knives, and even tweezers are off-limits. Using something sharp can damage your teeth or gums. 

When to See an Emergency Dentist in Frisco: 

If the object can’t be removed with gentle flossing or causes significant pain, contact our dentist. We have more tools at our disposal. 

When and Why to Seek Professional Help 

• Prevention: Infections, fractures, or knocked-out teeth require specialized care to avoid long-term complications.
• Peace of Mind: You don’t have to handle scary dental situations on your own. We offer support as well as treatment. 
• Cost Efficiency: Attempting to handle serious issues at home can cause damage that’s more expensive down the line.

Prevent Painful Pitfalls in an Emergency

When in doubt, always prioritize professional care—the pros at Hunt Family Dentistry can provide long-lasting solutions and ensure your dental health remains in top condition. 

If you need immediate assistance or have questions about your dental health, don’t hesitate to contact our Frisco emergency dentist online or by calling (469) 285-7924. We’re here to help, no matter the situation.