Dental Emergency? What You Can Do
There are certain situations that are often out of your control. When this happens in terms of your oral health, you often are uncertain as to what steps you need to take. Some of the most common individuals that are prone to dental injuries and/or emergencies are those who partake in sports. Of course, even though who do not participate in athletic activities can experience dental emergencies, such as in the form of a severe toothache. Anyone can experience a dental emergency at any time and it is important that you know what you can do when it happens. Do you contact your dentist? Do you go to the emergency room? Are there steps you can take before doing either of those things? Read on to find out the answers to those questions.
When You Have a Toothache…
If you are experiencing a toothache, you first want to ensure that there is no food lodged around the tooth. If there is, there is a good chance that this is the source of the pain. Gentle floss around the achy tooth and use warm water to rinse your mouth. You can also use a cold compress to help with the pain and inflammation (if there is any).
When You Lose a Filling..
If you have lost a filling, you should use some over-the-counter cement, which is made specifically for dental purposes, and apply it directly into the cavity where the filling was lost. This is a temporary fix until you are able to get an appointment with your dentist. If you do not have any dental cement or cannot find it, you can opt for sugarless gum (gum with sugar in it wills imply exacerbate the pain you are experiencing and therefore should be avoided).
When You Crack/Chip a Tooth…
If you experienced a cracked or chipped tooth, you will want to clean the area very carefully and thoroughly by rinsing your mouth with warm water. If you are able to save the piece(s) of the tooth that broke off, do so. If the tooth is bleeding, use a piece of gauze.
When You Knock Out a Tooth…
First, you need to use warm water and carefully rinse off the root of the tooth. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket as it was. If this is not possible, then put the tooth in a cup of cold milk. If milk is not an option, use a cup of salt water. If you have it, or can gain access to it quickly, then you can put the tooth in a product called Save-a-Tooth, which is designed to preserve the tissue of the tooth while it is out of the socket. Make sure that you get to your dentist within the hour for the best possible chance of saving the tooth.
Contact a clinic, like Centre Family Dentistry, for more help.