Whenever you are concerned about a severe mouth injury or condition for yourself or a member of your family, it’s a good idea to seek immediate emergency dental care. Some situations that are considered dental emergencies include:

• Knocked-out teeth
• A loose permanent tooth
• Severe tooth or mouth pain
• Bleeding inside your mouth from your gums, cheeks, or tongue
• An injury to your mouth or face
• Swelling in your mouth, gums, or tongue
• A severely broken or cracked tooth
• A tear or laceration on your lips

Chipping a tooth in and of itself doesn't always warrant emergency dental care. If the tooth is chipped, but it doesn't appear as if you'll lose the tooth entirely, it's probably not a dental emergency.

Even so, you can't go wrong by calling an experienced dentist at Kirkland Premier Dentistry. They're trained to handle dental emergencies and can walk you through what to do with your tooth until you can visit the office.

Quick action is imperative for a dental emergency like a knocked-out tooth. Without immediate dental care, you could lose the tooth entirely.

To try and save the tooth, start by cleaning the injured tooth and the inside of your mouth. Rinse your mouth and tooth with warm water, being careful not to touch the tooth by the roots.

Hold the tooth by the crown (the smooth white top part) as you rinse it. Using light pressure, reposition the cleaned tooth in the empty socket in your gum. Close your mouth and bite down gently on the tooth, if you can

It might help to bite down on a soft piece of gauze until you can visit Kirkland Premier Dentistry. Call the office right away. Or, have a family member or friend call to let our staff know you're on your way. Call 425-243-6170

What should you do if you can't put the tooth back in your mouth? The goal is to keep the tooth moist at all times. Put it in a cup of milk or in your mouth next to your cheek to help preserve it until you arrive at the dental office.

Don't let a broken tooth prevent you from enjoying your smile. Call Kirkland Premier Dentistry for expert assistance in the event of a dental emergency or book an online appointment now.