Dental Emergencies
Serious injuries to the mouth and teeth may be reduced if you take action as soon as the injury occurs. Remember to act calmly and quickly to help speed the healing process and perhaps even save a tooth.
Toothache
If you have a toothache, clean the area using a soft toothbrush and floss. You may feel relief from rinsing your mouth with warm, salt water. If you have any facial swelling, you should apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen to further redcue swelling and pain. Remember to call your dentist as soon as possible.
Loosened Tooth
If you experience a tooth being pushed either inward or outward, try to reposition it using very little pressure. Do not push the tooth into its socket. The tooth should be held in place on the way to the dental office with gauze or a moist tissue.
Broken tooth
First, rinse the mouth with warm water and keep it clean. Immediate dental care will be necessary, so contact your dentist as soon as possible. The treatment will depend on the severity of the break and could range from smoothing out a chipped area, to bonding or placing a crown on the tooth.
Soft tissue injury
If the tongue, lips or cheeks are bitten, cut or punctured, apply firm pressure to the injured area with a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop within fifteen minutes, contact your dentist or physician immediately. If there is no bleeding, clean the area with warm water, apply an ice compress to the bruised or swollen area and contact your dentist for further instructions.
Remember, in case of a dental emergency, keep calm and see your dentist as soon as possible.
