“Life happens,” and so do dental emergencies. The important thing to keep in mind if one happens to you is to get to a dentist as quickly as possible to ensure that no permanent damage or a more serious issue develops. In the meantime, knowing what to do when a dental emergency happens can mean the difference between losing a tooth and being able to save it.
There are some things that you can do to lighten the discomfort as well as protect your tooth and mouth until you can get to your dentist:
• Toothache – When a tooth begins to ache it means that there is decay or an infection somewhere in the tooth. To begin with, use warm water to rinse out your mouth and remove any food particles and to generally clean out the area. Use dental floss to dislodge any particles that might be caught in or around the tooth and an icepack can be placed on your cheek if the area is swollen. Taking an over-the-counter painkiller can reduce the discomfort, but do not place an aspirin or other painkiller directly on your gums because it could cause damage to the tissue surrounding your tooth.
• Knocked-Out Tooth – First of all remain calm and retrieve the tooth so that you can take it to your dentist. Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off any debris that is on the tooth root, but do not scrub it or remove any of the tissue that might still be attached. If you can, put the rinsed off tooth back into its socket, and if you can’t, place the tooth in a small container of water or milk and then get to the dentist as quickly as you can because the quicker you get there, the better the chances are that a dentist can save your tooth.
• Chipped or Broken Tooth – Retrieve the pieces if possible and then quickly rinse out your mouth with warm water to clean and soothe the area. If the tooth is bleeding, place a small piece of gauze on the area to absorb the blood. A cold compress can be placed on the outside of your mouth to help with any discomfort or pain. Getting to a dentist as quickly as possible will help ensure that your tooth can be repaired.
• Lost Filling or Crown – Retrieve the crown or filling pieces and place a small piece of cotton over the area to keep air or food away from the sensitive part of the tooth. Use an over-the-counter painkiller if needed and get to a dentist as soon as possible.
• Objects Caught Between Your Teeth – Use a piece of dental floss to see if you can gently remove whatever is caught between your teeth. Refrain from using anything sharp because you could damage your gum tissue. If you don’t have dental floss handy, a plastic toothpick with an angulated tip is another good option. If you cannot remove the stuck object with gentle pressure, get to a dentist who will remove it for you.
• Tongue or Lip Bites – Sometimes damage to these areas is minor and once you gently clean the area with a cloth and apply a cold compress to the outside of the area to bring down the swelling, everything will be okay and the tissue will heal itself. Rinsing your mouth with a mild solution of salt and warm water can help stop the bleeding or you can apply pressure to the wound for about fifteen to twenty minutes with a tea bag or moistened piece of gauze. However, if the bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room because the area may require stitches and these sutures have to be applied as soon as possible (preferably within six hours from the time of injury). It is, however, still important to make an appointment with the dentist so that he or she can thoroughly assess the area to make sure there are no problems.
The most important thing to keep in mind in regard to a dental emergency is to get in to see a dentist as quickly as possible.
After graduating as a DMD in 1988 Dr. Vito Clarizio started his own practice in Whitestone, NY and has been in private practice here for over 20 years. He is loved by both his patients and his staff. His core staff has been with him since the beginning of the practice. http://whitestonegentledentist.com
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