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At a dental check-up you can expect to update a health history in the beginning. Any recommended x-rays will be taken to evaluate your dental health. If you are scheduled for a teeth cleaning, a dental hygienist will clean your teeth, review hygiene habits, and review at home care. The dentist will come in for an exam and evaluate any treatment needed. You should leave your appointment understanding any treatment discussed and with an idea of your dental benefit

For a dental emergency, you ideally want to contact your regular dentist. If that’s not possible, then contact another dentist near you. You may also want to go directly to an urgent care or an emergency room. (Check the web for locations.) If for whatever reason you can’t reach a dentist or can’t leave your location, consider the following tips for temporary help.

If you have a toothache…

• Mix a teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water and gently rinse your mouth with it.
• Brush the affected area gently and carefully floss the area in case there’s trapped food causing pain.
• If it’s okay for you to take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen, then do so. It may relieve your pain temporarily.
• A topical pain relief gel like Orajel or Anbesol contains the local anesthetic benzocaine. It may provide minimal temporary pain relief.

Please note that even if your toothache pain subsides, you still need to see your dentist to identify the reason for the pain. More important, the pain may likely return and even worsen over time—which is all the more reason to see a dentist as soon as possible.

If you have a permanent or temporary crown that breaks off…

You want to keep the tooth area as clean as possible. Rinse the area with salt water frequently (one teaspoon of table salt to one cup of warm water). If not too sensitive, the area can be gently brushed as well.

It’s possible that the original crown may be re-cemented. However, if too much time goes by, that may not be possible and a new crown will need to be made.

If you have a broken filling or tooth…

Check your local drug store for a temporary filling product. Until you see your dentist, this can be placed over the affected area temporarily. As a last resort, you can use sugar-free gum to cover the area. 

There are a few options. Smoothing the tooth, fillings, veneers, crowns, or orthodontics are options to consider. A consultation with your dentist for cosmetic dentistry is the best place to start to discuss the correct treatment plan for you.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, it is important to schedule regular checkups and dental cleanings. The American Dental Association (ADA) advises adult patients to visit the dentist at least once every six months. Regular dental cleanings remove stains and plaque buildup, preventing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you experience a sudden onset of pain in your teeth or gums, immediately book an appointment with your local dentist. He or she will evaluate the problem and recommend the appropriate oral treatments for your case.

Even if you do not have any symptoms, it is still important to schedule regular dental checkups to identify minor issues before they develop into larger problems.