Whether you are on vacation with the family in another state or just starting your weekend at a child’s game, dealing with dental emergencies is never fun. Most dental offices have an emergency policy that explains what you should do if a situation arises after normal business hours.
Contact your dentist office right away if a dental emergency happens. The following tips will help you handle common dental emergencies:
Toothaches – With a toothache, it may help to rinse the area and use floss to remove any food that could cause irritation. Take an over-the-counter pain medication to reduce discomfort.
Broken teeth – First, rinse with warm water. If the bleeding occurs, apply pressure with gauze for about 10 minutes or until it stops bleeding. Apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to minimize swelling.
Partially Dislodged Tooth – In this situation, you need to see a dentist right away. For pain relief until that time, try a cold compress or pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Knocked Out Tooth – When someone loses a tooth like this, the best chance for keeping the tooth occurs when the patient can see the dentist within one hour. Locate the tooth, rinse any dirt, and try to put it gently back into the socket. If it won’t go, place the tooth in a small cup of milk.
Lost Filling or Crown – For lost fillings, place over-the-counter dental cement or a piece of sugarless gum in the opening until you can see your dentist. With a lost crown, place the crown over the tooth and use toothpaste or dental cement to hold it in place.
