Handling a Dental Emergency
Accidents happen every day. Knowing what to do during these times might be the difference between keeping and losing a tooth. In this article, we discuss some tips to handle an emergency. We hope they will be of help.
Toothache
A toothache may be common but sometimes it might be so painful. It makes you uncomfortable and the pain can make you not attend to your daily activities. Sometimes it may occur during the night and makes you not get the right amount of sleep.
In such times, here is what to do. Warm some water and use it to thoroughly clean your mouth. Toothpaste is not enough, make use of dental floss to remove any remaining food. Sometimes your mouth may be swollen and that’s where cold compress comes in. Apply the ice bag within an interval of 10 minutes.
Some people will advise you to put aspirin on the gum of the aching tooth. Never do that! Not just aspirin but any other painkiller. The painkiller may burn your gum and you will be in deeper trouble than you already in. After washing your mouth, contact your dentist ASAP. Toothache is a dental emergency and should not be ignored.
Chipped and Broken Tooth
This is how to deal with it. First, you need to save the pieces of the broken tooth. Then rinse your mouth with some warm water and rinse the pieces as well. If you are experiencing any bleeding, try applying gauze until the bleeding stop. In most cases, it will not take more than 10 minutes.
After the bleeding stops, use the cold compress method. Compress an ice bag on your cheek, outside the mouth or a lip that is near the chipped tooth. The ice will help contain any swelling and will relieve pain in the process. Make sure to contact your dentist after that.
Broken Wires and Braces
If you get an emergency where a wire from the braces sticks out of its bracket, pushing it to its position may help. Make use of a pencil on the eraser side of it. If it is hard for you to push it back, just cover it with a piece of gauze. Orthodontic wax or a piece of cotton will do too. Cutting the wire is risky as you may end up swallowing it by mistake. Refrain from that as much as possible.
Lost Crown
If your crown falls the first thing you should do is contact your dentist. Book an appointment and carry the crown with you. In the meantime, apply some olive oil to the painful areas using a cotton swab. However, before applying olive oil, ensure the inner surface is coated. You can buy dental cement, use toothpaste, or use dental adhesive. Never use super glue to hold the crown.
Extruded Tooth
Contact your dentist before doing anything else. Use the cold compress method to relieve pain before you get to your dentist. If need be, try some pain killers like Advil or Tylenol. They are effective but you still need to see your dentist ASAP.
Objects Caught Between Your Teeth
Sometimes some objects may be caught in your teeth and brushing don’t get rid of them all. Try using dental floss to remove the objects carefully. If you still can’t, just contact your dentist. Never try using sharp objects to remove the objects. You may end up cutting your gums or worse.
Knocked-out Tooth
If you were involved in an accident and your tooth was knocked out, this is how to deal with it. Use warm water to rinse the tooth. Make sure not to scrub the tooth or remove the attached tissues. Try putting the tooth back if you can. If you can’t, put it in a clean container containing some milk. Water with some salt in it will do as well. Call your dentist and if you manage to get to him within an hour, your tooth may be saved.
Shenk Dental Care
For any dental emergency, we are here for you. We are located in Roswell, Georgia and if you are in need of any dental services we will be happy to help. We will provide you with a comfortable experience that you won’t mind recommending your friend to Dr. Judd Shenk. We will ensure to make your smile brighter and gorgeous. Visit us today and save money.