Dental emergencies can be avoided by taking some simple precautions, such as wearing a mouth guard during sports and recreation and staying away from hard food such as candy that may crack a tooth. Accidents do happen however, and it is important to know what actions to take immediately. Injuries to the mouth may include teeth that are knocked out (avulsed), forced out of position and loosened (extruded) or fractured. In addition, lips, gums or cheeks can be cut. Oral injuries are often painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

What do I when a tooth is knocked out?
Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone re-attachment. Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt. Do not scrub. Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out. If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk or saline solution.

What do I do if the tooth is pushed out of position?
Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth. Bite down to keep the tooth from moving. The dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.

What about when the tooth is fractured?
Rinse mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. Minor fractures can be smoothed by your dentist with a sandpaper disc or simply left alone. Restorative procedures can also be done to fix the tooth. In either case, treat the tooth with care for several days. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, tissue and/or pulp. If the pulp is not permanently damaged, the tooth may be restored with a full permanent crown. If pulp damage does occur, further dental treatment will be required. Severe fractures often mean a traumatized tooth with slim chance of recovery.

What should I do when the tissue of my mouth is injured?
Injuries to the inside of the mouth include tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue. The wound should be cleaned right away with warm water, and the injured person taken to a hospital emergency room for the necessary care. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.

Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. 

For further information about this topic, or any other dental topic, contact Dr Slootsky at info@drslootsky.com, or call 954-972-1000

Dr.Slootsky's Dental Team

Lissette, Business Manager

Lissette was born in Nyack, New York and moved to Boca Raton when she was 8 year old. She graduated from Spanish River High School. She came to work for Dr. Slootsky in 1998 and soon thereafter received her degree in Radiology and Expanded Duties Dental Assisting from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. She began her career with Dr. Slootsky as a dental assistant and gradually added many other tasks such as insurance filing, bookkeeping, financial arrangements, patient financing, marketing and appointments. In her spare time Lissette enjoys spending time with her husband Chris and their two children Kelly and Ava.

Denise, Registered Dental Hygeinist

Denise was born in Norwalk, Connecticut and moved to Deerfield Beach when she was 8 years old. She interned with Dr Slootsky while attending Ely High School’s vocational program for health occupations. In 1988 she graduated from Palm Beach Community College with a degree in dental assisting and then continued with her dental hygiene degree. Denise has been with Dr. Slootsky for over 20 years. She has a very loyal following of patients who are captivated by her warm heart, exceptional skills, and her devotion to her profession. Denise enjoys taking continuing education courses and keeping up with the latest technology. She has been happily married for 14 years and has 3 daughters and a son. Denise enjoys spending time with her family and is very active with her church.

Cathy , Dental Lab Assistant

Cathy was born in Ft. Lauderdale and graduated from Nova High School. She received her degree in dental assisting with expanded duties and radiology from the Florida Medical and Dental Technologies School of Ft Lauderdale. While attending school she did her internship with Dr.Slootsky. After graduation she worked briefly for another dentist and then came back to Dr. Slootsky’s office. Cathy has been with us since 1984. Her duties include assisting in the laboratory, making temporary crowns and bridges, and taking custom shades. Cathy enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children.

Kimberly, Expanded Duties Dental Assistant

Kimberly was born in North Carolina and moved to South Florida when she was 10 years old. After High School she attended Broward Community College for her degree in Expanded Duty Functions and Radiology. From there she continued on to FAU for her B.A. in Criminal Justice. She has spent 17 years working in the dental field. Many of those years were spent in periodontal practice specializing in full reconstruction cases and treatment planning. Kimberly has been married for over 14 years and enjoys crafts, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Nancy, Registered Dental Hygienist

Nancy has lived all her life in South florida. After attending St. Thomas Aquinas High School she began working for her father Dr. Joseph Carroll as a dental assistant while studying at Palm Beach Community College to receive her degree in Dental Hygiene. Nancy has been working for Dr. Slootsky for almost 20 years. She enjoys learning about new advance technology in her field of training. Her dedication and warm personality makes every visit for her patients an enjoyable experience. Nancy has been with her husband for over 20 years and loves playing with her two dogs Zack and Kobe.

Amy, Dental Assistant

Amy was born in Erie Pennsylvania until her recent move to South Florida in 2009. She worked as a dental assistant in Pennsylvania for over 25 years before she came to work for Dr. Slootsky. She is very comforting to our patients and is a pleasure to be around. She is a strong asset to our staff and is Dr. Slootsky’s right hand. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.