541-754-9322 
Oral emergencies such as cavities, chipped or cracked teeth, and injury can be seen as commonplace, but they are still serious. When accidents and emergencies happen, knowing what to do can make a difference in saving your beautiful smile.
A common oral accident is biting one’s lips or gums. While these are often minor accidents, they can sometimes be quite serious. If you are bleeding, wash your mouth out gently with warm water–not hot or cold, if you can avoid it. Apply gauze to the affected area. If the wound is still bleeding profusely after a few minutes, seek medical attention, as it may need stitches to close.
Other oral emergencies can occur playing contact sports, eating crunchy foods or ice, or during basic daily activities. Be careful doing these activities, and use appropriate mouth protection when appropriate.
Although teeth can be damaged and cracked beyond repair, dentists are sometimes able to reattach teeth that have been knocked out, and repair those which have been damaged. Keeping the tooth or bits of a tooth moisturized is vital for potential future reattachment success! Place the tooth in a tooth-saving product like Save-A-Tooth–or even milk–until a trip to visit your dentist can be made. Make that appointment as soon as possible. Explain to your dentist that you have a dental emergency and describe it the best you can, and your dental team will help coach you through what to do.
If you have a dental emergency, or would like to have a professional exam from our team at Ryan D. Sparks, DMD, simply book an appointment at our dentist office in Corvallis, Oregon, by calling us at 541-754-9322. Dr. Ryan D. Sparks and the rest of our team would be glad to take care of any oral health care needs you may have.