Dental emergencies may be categorized as toothaches, injuries or broken appliances.
Toothache
If a toothache develops, using a brush and floss, clean the suspected
area. Rinse with warm salt water. Do not place an aspirin on the gums
or tooth [this may cause a burn]. Apply a cold compress to any facial
swelling. Take acetaminophen [Tylenol] and call us as soon as possible.
Evulsed Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, time is of the essence.
Immediately call us for an emergency appointment. It is critical to
get the person and their tooth to us within one half hour. This makes
it possible to re-implant the tooth with a high degree of success. Find
the tooth, and holding it by its crown, gently rinse it to remove dirt
and/or debris. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, gently place the
tooth back in its socket as a means of transport. Otherwise, transport
the tooth in a cup of milk, saline [salt water], or saliva [place tooth
between cheek and gum, unless child is too young]. If none of these
are available, use a cup of plain water.
Extruded Teeth
If a tooth is pushed either inward or outward, try to reposition the
tooth using light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth into its socket.
Try to get the injured person to us as soon as possible. The tooth may
be stabilized and held in place with a moist tissue or gauze on the
way over.
Fractured Teeth
First rinse your mouth with warm water to keep it clean. Immediate dental
care is necessary. The treatment will depend on the severity of the
fracture and could range from smoothing out the chip to bonding with
a resin [tooth colored] material to placing a crown [cap]. If there
has been pulp [nerve] injury, root canal may be necessary at once or
at a later date.
Soft Tissue Injury
The tongue, lips or cheeks may be bitten, lacerated [cut] or punctured.
If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with a gauze or clean cloth.
If bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes, bring the person to our
office or a hospital emergency room. Sutures [stitches] may be necessary.
Otherwise, clean the area with warm water on a gauze or clean cloth.
Apply an ice compress to the bruised or swollen area. Contact us for
further instructions.