Emergencies in Dental Health

All dental emergencies are best treated as soon as possible. We can relive your discomfort and get you back to feeling good again. If you want to avoid emergencies in the future we can talk about a plan to get your mouth in a stable state of health.

Call office 517-546-3330 - Cell after hours 517-294-0954

Abscess/ swelling

When the inside of your mouth gets hurt or irritated, bacteria may enter and cause an infection. Sometimes you will see a painful swelling filled with pus (a thick, yellowish fluid). If the pus can't drain out, the area will get more swollen and painful. Most abscesses are painful, so people usually seek treatment right away. Call Dr. Kellogg right away.

Sometimes, the infection causes little or no pain. If an abscess is not treated, the infection can last for months or even years. It will not go away on its own, so it's important not to ignore the symptoms.  The infection can cause tooth loss, infection to the brain, gum infection or infection to tissues. The infection that causes an abscess may spread and lead to serious health problems.

It needs to be looked at right away.

Knocked out tooth

Call us right away!!. In the meantime, here's what you should do:

• Pick the tooth up by the crown. This is the part of the tooth that you see in the mouth. Avoid touching the root end (the part that was under the gum).
• If the tooth is dirty, do NOT clean it. This could damage the tooth. Rinse with cold whole milk and place the tooth back into its socket. The tooth has a better chance of surviving if it's kept in its natural environment. If you cannot get the tooth back in its socket, tuck it between your cheek and gum. Another option is to put the tooth in a container of whole cold milk. You can also buy a kit at some pharmacies. It contains a solution similar to natural saliva. The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist.

Remember, if you act quickly and get to a dentist as soon as possible, there's a good chance the tooth can be saved.

Broken tooth/ lost filling/ lost crown

Cracked (Fractured) Teeth
There is no way to treat a cracked tooth at home. You need to call Dr. Kellogg. Sometimes the tooth looks fine, but it hurts only when you eat or when the temperature in your mouth changes (because you drank something hot or cold, for example). If your tooth hurts all the time, it may have a damaged nerve or blood vessels. This is a serious warning sign.

Broken Teeth
If you have a broken tooth, call Dr. Kellogg as soon as possible. Dr. Kellogg can figure out if the break was caused by cavities, and if the tooth's nerve is in danger

Until you get to our office:

• Rinse your mouth well with warm water.
• Apply pressure with a piece of gauze on any bleeding areas for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. If this doesn’t work, use a tea bag with pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.
• Apply a cold pack to the cheek or lips over the broken tooth. This will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• If you can't get to your dentist right away, cover the part of the tooth that is in your mouth with temporary dental cement, sugarless gum or wax. You can find this at a drugstore.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Gum infection/ bad breath

Gum infections are serious. Sometimes as we brush or floss our gums bleed. Sometimes they bleed almost without any brushing. Do you notice more root surface on your teeth showing? Studies have shown the link between periodontal disease and diabetes, lung infection, premature birth, heart disease, stroke and still born children. If you have any bleeding in your gums, receding gums, bad breath, or loosening teeth please call Dr. Kellogg. Your gum tissues will need to be checked.