Be Ready To Treat Dental Emergencies

Thousands of dental emergencies — from injuries to a painful, abscessed tooth — take place every day. Knowing what to do can lessen the pain and save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

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Thousands of dental emergencies — from injuries to a painful, abscessed tooth — take place every day.

Would you know what to do if your child broke a tooth or had a tooth knocked out while playing outdoors? What if you had a bad toothache in the middle of the night and couldn’t get to the dentist until the next day? Knowing what to do can lessen the pain and save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.

Keep your dental office phone number and an emergency number where the dentist can be reached after hours with other emergency numbers such as your family doctor and fire and police departments. Call the dentist immediately for instructions on how to handle a dental emergency.

Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth: Try to find the tooth! This might not be as easy as you think, so try to stay calm. Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse the root in water if the tooth is dirty. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If it’s possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket while you head to the dentist. If that’s not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and bring it to the dentist. Time is critical, so try to get to your dentist immediately.

Broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the outside of the cheek to help reduce the swelling.

Tongue or lip bites or wounds: Clean the area gently with a clean cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding can’t be controlled, go to a hospital emergency room or clinic.

Objects caught between teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object. If you can’t dislodge the object with floss, contact your dentist.

Toothache: Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to remove any food or other debris that might be caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth. This could burn gum tissue. If the toothache persists, try to see the dentist. Painkillers might temporarily relieve pain, but your dentist should evaluate the condition.

Possible broken jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Get to the hospital emergency room immediately.

• Source: Water Tower Family Dental in Lake in the Hills