Dental Emergencies and What To Do
Not all dental emergencies are obvious emergencies, however, by ignoring them you can cause unnecessary pain and you could even compromise your oral health. By taking quick action you can prevent problems and possibly even save your tooth.
What Are Some Common Dental Emergencies?
- Knocked-out teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Damaged or lost crown/filling
- Persistent toothache
- Excessive bleeding
- Abscess or visible infection
If you are suffering from any of the emergencies listed above let’s see how you can alleviate some of your symptoms with basic first-aid until you can get into see your dentist
1. Knocked-Out Teeth
First of all, find the tooth if at all possible, and then holding it by the crown (the part that is exposed in the mouth) rinse off both the crown and the root with clean water. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue, place the tooth in a small container and cover with milk or another cell growth medium such as Save-A-Tooth. Call Belmar Park Dental Care and make an appointment as soon as possible. Saving your knocked-out tooth is easiest if seen within an hour of the injury.
2. Cracked or Broken Teeth
Completley rinse out your mouth with clean warm water, take care to remove any broken pieces. If you are experiencing bleeding, apply a clean, new piece of medical gauze to the affected area for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Call our office and make an appointment as soon as possible. You may also wish to apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to keep any swelling down and to help relieve pain.
3. Damaged or Lost Crown/Filling
If you have lost a filling you can use a piece of soft sugar-free gum to temporarily protect the cavity until you can get into our offices. If you lost or damaged a crown, make an appointment to see us as soon as possible. If you are experiencing pain due to the lost crown you can use a cotton swab dipped in clove oil to the affected area.
4. Persistent Toothache
Nearly every dental emergency is accompanied by discomfort or pain. However, if you are experiencing persistent pain try to thoroughly rinse your mouth with clean lukewarm water. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever and make an appointment to see us as soon as possible. Never place aspirin or any other painkiller directly against the tissue as it may cause burns. Use a cold compress to keep swelling to a minimum.
5. Excessive Bleeding
Mouth cuts tend to bleed a lot due to the abundant blood supply in those areas. If you are experiencing excessive bleeding try to place a compress on the area with clean medical gauze and apply constant pressure. Ice can also help to kickstart the congealing process and reduce swelling in the affected area. Call our office as soon as possible to make an appointment
6. Abscesses or Visible Infections
Abscesses are a serious oral condition that can spread to other areas of the body if left untreated. If you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum call our office to make an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime rinse your mouth with a solution composed of 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 8oz of warm water. Do not try to pop the abscess yourself as the pain will be immense.
If you are unsure about whether you are suffering a dental emergency or not it is always best to call our office. We’re always happy to help in any way possible, even if you’re not a patient of record.