Where to call in an emergency

During the day on weekdays

• Call your dentist or a dentist in the yellow pages of the phone book. 
• If you have the dental plan offered through the Student Health Insurance Plan, you will want to see a participating provider.
  
• If you need a referral for emergency care, call Gannett. We can assist with referrals to dentists in the Ithaca area.
  

Nights and weekends

Call the Gannett health care provider on call at 607 255-5155. Gannett does not have a dentist on staff, but we can help you think through your options regarding whether, when, and where you should seek medical attention.

Kinds of dental problems 

Read these quick tips for handling common problems of the mouth and teeth. For more information, consult the American Dental Association.

It is best to place it right back in the socket. Hold it by the crown (not the root), and rinse it off with water if it is visually contaminated. If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket, place it in a glass of milk. In either case, call a dentist for immediate care.

Gently (using light finger pressure), try to push it back into place. Do not force it. Call a dentist for care.

Rinse your mouth out, try to keep food away from that tooth, and call a dentist. If it is a small chip it usually can wait until a weekday for care.

Rinse with warm water and apply a cool moist compress to the area. If the bleeding does not stop or the area extends beyond the lip to your face you should seek emergency care.

Rinse your mouth well, floss and brush your teeth and gums. Take an over-the-counter pain medication. Never place any pain medication directly on your tooth or gums.

It is not uncommon for them to cause your mouth to ache. Keep the area clean and do not chew hard foods like nuts or seeds. Try not to poke at the area. You should see a dentist or oral surgeon if they continue to cause pain for you.

Use dental floss to remove it. Never use a sharp tool as this may damage your tooth or gums.