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Many people hesitate to call or visit their dentist, even when they are in pain. They might be afraid or they might not be sure if the problem is a true emergency. Both reasons are understandable, but if you are in any pain, don't delay in calling your dentist. Here are tips for handling some of the more common dental emergencies.
KNOCKED-OUT TOOTH
Hold the tooth by the crown, and rinse the root with water if it is dirty. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean wash cloth or gauze, and go to the dentist as soon as possible. If this isn't possible, put the tooth in a container with saliva or water and go to the dentist as quickly as you can. Teeth that are replanted in the mouth within 30 minutes of the injury have the best chance for survival.
BROKEN TOOTH
Rinse mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compresses on the face to reduce swelling. Go to the dentist immediately. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.
POSSIBLE BROKEN JAW
Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to the dentist or a hospital emergency room immediately.
LOSE A FILLING OR CROWN
Cover the hole with temporary material, do not try to put the old filling back in the tooth. If you lose a crown, you will want to try and salvage it. You can use Vaseline, denture adhesive or over-the-counter temporary dental cement to put the crown back in place until you see your dentist. Be sure to visit the dentist as soon as possible.
Source: HealthNewsDigest.com
BROKEN DENTAL APPLIANCES,
BRIDGES, DENTURES and IMPLANTS
Save all the pieces and bring them to the dentist. DO NOT try to glue pieces back together or try to bend the wire clasps.
IF A DENTAL EMERGENCY HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELING:
- Look in the Yellow Pages under "dentist" to find the state or local dental society phone number to get a referral.
- Ask the hospital to recommend a dentist.
- Ask the hotel concierge or other hotel staff to refer you to a dentist.
- If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy. Many embassies and the consulates maintain lists of local medical and dental personnel, which may also be available online at usembassy.state.gov After clicking on the country you are visiting, medical listings are usually found under the heading "US Citizen Services".
Oops!
Babies and toddlers are known for their enthusiastic curiosity, and sometimes that curiosity ends in a fall or injury. New walkers in particular are very likely to takes a spill and bang a tooth. In fact, about one-third of all toddlers have experienced some kind of trauma to their pearly whites and the risk peaks between 18 and 40 months. Here's what you need to know in case of an emergency:
PRIMARY TEETH
If something happens to a child's primary tooth, or "baby tooth", you should still take your child to the dentist as soon as possible. Although it is normal for children to lose primary teeth, an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent tooth underneath.
TOOTHACHE
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. Take your child to the dentist as soon as possible.
BITTEN TONGUE OR LIP
Clean the area gently with a cloth and place cold compresses on the area to keep swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or doesn't stop after a short period of time, take your child to a dentist or physician.
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Emergency Procedures provided by The American Dental Association and 2008 Proctor & Gamble. All rights reserved.
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