More often than not, patients visiting a Dental Emergency Clinic (DEC) often visit the place as a last resort. Some of the common dental problems that demand immediate attention include teeth that are knocked out, forced out, or loosened from their position. Sometimes gums, lips or cheeks are cut as a result of the problem. Such injuries are painful and should be treated by the dentist at the earliest.

- When a teeth is forced out or dislodged, do not touch the tooth by the root. Instead hold it by the crown and immerse it in milk or saliva. But before immersing it in milk, clean it gently with water.

- When a tooth is forcibly pushed out of position, push it back gently using light pressure.

- If a tooth is fractured, rinse your mouth gently with clean water and use an ice pack over the area. Medications such as ibuprofen should be given to the patient. Do not attempt any further treatment as only a dentist can determine the extent of damage.

- If the pain is not caused by an accident, it is often caused by an infection or other problems that the patient has ignored. It may suddenly become so unbearable that pain killers may no longer be effective. The best way to control pain is to rinse your mouth with warm water and flossing very gently around the teeth to ensure that there's nothing lodged between your teeth.

- Sometimes your wisdom teeth may cause your gums to swell or irritate the gums. A dentist can be contacted for medications to alleviate the pain.

- To control bleeding after a tooth is removed, place a gauze over the wound and contact the dentist immediately.

- Most emergencies can be addressed within a single sitting, but if the problem is severe and needs more than one sitting, you may have to check with your dental coverage for approved dentists for emergency treatments.

- Do not use aspirin to control pain, especially if the tooth is bleeding. Aspirin is an anticoagulant making it difficult for you to control bleeding.

- If you are wearing braces, it is possible that your braces may break or become damaged. Whilst they aren't a problem in most instances, sometimes they have to treated on an emergency basis.

Whatever be the emergency, make sure that you visit the dentist immediately because sometimes a difference of just a few minutes could be a factor in saving or losing your tooth.