Dental emergencies are common. Knowing what to do when an accident happens is key to stopping it from getting any worse. The steps you take in between the accident and seeing a professional are highly important.
If you’re facing a dental emergency, it’s important to visit either an emergency room or your dentist right away. Not sure if what you’re dealing with is considered an emergency? If you’re in a lot of pain or something doesn’t seem right with your teeth, jaw, mouth or gums, some of the experts suggests treating it like an emergency.
Your Tooth is Partially Dislodged
Make an appointment to see your dentist right away. To relieve the pain in the interim, gently apply a cold compress to the cheek or mouth. Take a pain reliever to treat pain and swelling.
Your Adult Tooth Was Knocked Out
If you’ve had a permanent tooth knocked out, it’s important to keep it moist until you can see a dentist. If it’s at all possible, placing the tooth back into the socket is probably the best solution. Just make sure that you don’t touch the root! If you’re not able to put the tooth back in the socket, put it in milk, in an ADA-approved tooth preservation product, or between your gums and cheek.
Your Tooth Was Cracked
When you crack a tooth, the very first thing you should do is rinse out your mouth with warm water, which is cleansing. Hold a cold compress to your face in order to prevent swelling. You should also try your best to locate any tooth fragments. It’s possible that your dentist will be able to bond the tooth fragment to the tooth.
You Broke Your Jaw
A broken jaw is a serious emergency. Even if your dentist is in the office, you should go to the emergency room right away. In the meantime, put a cold compress, preferably ice wrapped in a soft cloth, gently on the jaw to keep the swelling down.
You Have a Major Toothache
At first, you might not think of a toothache as an emergency, but a toothache can get pretty painful and uncomfortable! First, rinse out your mouth with warm water. Then, gently floss your teeth to get rid of any food that may be stuck – the food will only irritate the toothache further. Take aspirin to ease the pain. Whatever you do, though, do not put crushed aspirin on the tooth or the gums.
You Can’t Remove an Object from Between Your Teeth
Your first step should be to try to remove the object with dental floss. If this doesn’t work, don’t continue to force the dental floss between the teeth. Also, don’t use any sharp objects, like a pin, to get solve the problem. Sharp instruments can scratch the tooth or your gums. Visit your dentist instead.
You Lost a Filling
A temporary fix is to put a pice of sugarless gum into the area where the filling was. Make sure to only use sugar-free gum, which won’t cause pain in the cavity. You can also use over-the-counter dental cement until you’re able to see your dentist.
You Lost a Crown
If your crown falls off, make sure to hold onto it and bring it with you when you visit your dentist. If the tooth is causing pain, apply clove oil with a cotton swab. If you’re able to, coat the inside of the crown with dental cement and then slip the crown over the tooth.