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Ouch! Is your tooth driving you crazy?  Did an old filling crack right off?  Did a part of your tooth break?  Is one part of your mouth sensitive to cold drinks?  Do you have another kind of dental emergency?
If so, then call Dr. Edward Reifman's dental office right now at 818.990.6659
	On-Call 24 Hours

EMERGENCY DENTIST serving: Los Angeles County, San Fernando Valley, Encino, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood, CA.

Toothaches

"I'd rather be pregnant than have a toothache."

Many of us have heard this refrain before. There's a lot we can now do to remedy it.

Your first step, not surprisingly, will be to take the pain reliever of your choice. (If aspirin is your choice, don't, as some may suggest to you, crush the tablet and apply the powder directly on the tooth. Aspirin will create a burning sensation on your gums, and can corrode the enamel on your teeth, as well). Since the painkiller will take some time to take effect, try the following in the meantime:

Numb the pain.
Apply an ice pack on your cheek--line it up with the aching tooth inside your mouth. Especially if you have an infection, this will reduce swelling and discomfort in the area. Some toothaches aren't caused by infection; they respond well to moist heat and worsen with cold. If cold seems to intensify the pain in the tooth (and doesn't just feel unpleasantly cold on your cheek) then try a hot water bottle or a heat pack.

Soak a piece of cotton with oil of cloves, and pack it on the tooth.
This works especially well for cavities.

Avoid drinking or eating any substances that might irritate the tooth.
For example, foods or drinks that are either very hot or very cold, or contain sugar, or require a lot of crunching or chewing. Gum is also best avoided, even if it's sugar-free. If you're seeing a dentist that day, consider not eating at all until you've had a chance to meet. No food?!? Unless it's baby-food consistency, any food is bound to irritate the situation and should be avoided if the pain is severe.

Gargle. In the meantime, make a saltwater gargle out of a pint (.5 liter) of clean water and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (about 10-15 mg) of salt. This will keep the area clean and may flush out any problem-causing bacteria.

Call Dr. Reifman's Emergency Dental Office At: 818.990.6659

Treating a Knocked-Out Tooth

Try to rinse it gently in running water without scrubbing or removing any attached tissue fragments. Gently insert the tooth in the tooth 'socket' (where it was knocked out) and hold it in place. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk or in a cup of cool water if milk is not available. See your dentist within 30 minutes, or as as soon as possible. And don't forget to bring the tooth!

Something stuck between your teeth?

First, try using dental floss, very gently and carefully, to remove the object. Never poke between your teeth with a pin or similar sharp, pointy object; it can cut your gums or scratch the tooth surface. If you can't get the obstruction out, see your dentist.

What happens if I lose a filling?

Temporarily protect your tooth from exposure by sticking a piece of chewing gum into the cavity. (Make sure it's sugarless; sugar will probably cause pain.) See a dentist as soon as possible.

A badly bitten lip or tongue

Press a clean cloth against the bitten spot to control the bleeding. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress. If bleeding continues, go to a hospital emergency department.

Broken or Cracked Tooth?

1. Stop any bleeding by applying direct pressure to the bleeding area with gauze, cotton, or paper towels. Do not press directly on a tooth if the area around the tooth is bleeding.

2. Get to the dental office immediately. The quicker you see a dentist, the better the outcome.

3. A broken tooth exposes the nerve and may cause extreme pain. Do not take aspirin. Do not place any medicine directly on the tooth. Contact us for advice on relieving the pain.

4. It may be possible to save the tooth with root canal treatment or other restorative methods. For further information on Dr. Reifman's high-tech root canal treatment, <click here>.

Problems With Braces and Retainers

If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze, until you can get to the dentist. If a wire gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, do not attempt to remove it. Go to your dentist immediately. If an appliance becomes loose or a piece of it breaks off, take the appliance and the piece and go to the dentist.

What do you do if you have a swelling or an abscess?

Swellings and abscesses are symptoms of a more serious problem. It is an infection, and should be treated immediately.

1. Make an appointment immediately, since it is an infection and it needs treatment. Don't attempt to treat this yourself or you may aggravate the situation even more. These situations are very serious requiring immediate professional treatment.

2. Do not use ice!

3. Do not place aspirin on a tooth or on the gums around the tooth!

4. Do not rely on over-the-counter medications

Some Common Children's Dental Emergencies

If your child's tooth is knocked out:

Carefully rinse the tooth in water. Make sure that you do not touch the root of the tooth with your hands. The root is the portion of the tooth embedded in the gum and not normally seen.

Attempt to place the tooth back in its socket and secure with a wet wrap. If this is not possible or if you are afraid that your child might swallow the tooth, place it in a glass containing either saliva or milk.  Then, see your dentist immediately!

If your child's tooth is chipped:

Check to see if your child is experiencing pain or sensitivity in the tooth. If so, call your dentist and seek dental treatment immediately.

If your child is not experiencing pain or sensitivity, contact your dentist to see whether or not your child should be seen. In most cases, this will not require immediate attention and your dentist will schedule your child for an appointment.

Call Dr. Reifman's Dental Office at: (818) 990-6659

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