Accidents will happen, and while most are avoidable, some things are just out of your control. If you were to trip and scrape your knee, you would apply an anti-biotic and sterilize gauze to ensure no bacterial infection forms; however, would you know what to do if you or someone you knew suffered a serious tooth injury. Failure to immediately address concerns with your teeth can result in further & more severe complications. If you are currently dealing with a dental emergency, here are some tips to help you and handle and manage your situation.
Nagging Toothache
Toothaches tend to stick around and irritate for extended periods of time, so it’s important to address them as soon as possible. First and foremost, you use warm water to rinse out your mouth and then use dental floss to discard any entrenched foods. If the toothache has created swelling, wrap a cold pack under a cloth and apply directly to the swollen area. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your family dentist as soon as possible.
Chipped Tooth
If your tooth is fractured or chipped, you need to save the piece(s) that were dislodged as your family dental surgeon will be able to re-attach it for you. Visit your dentist as soon as possible. If you’re bleeding, you need to hold gauze to the bleeding area and apply pressure for approximately ten minutes or until the bleeding eventually stops. Swelling is common after you chip a tooth; therefore, be sure to apply a cold compress to the swollen area.
Lost Tooth
Losing a tooth can be scary & shocking, so the first thing you need to do is to stay calm and relaxed. Retrieve your tooth and hold it by the crown (the exposed surface of the tooth), and if the root of the tooth is dirty, rinse it off. Do not attempt to scrub it to clean it further as it could damage the enamel. Following the loss of your tooth, place it in a container with either milk or water with a minuscule amount of salt; you face the highest chance of a successful reimplementation 1 hour after you lose a tooth.
Missing Filling
Losing a filling is a lot more common than you might think; although dental technology has advanced significantly, there are still some reasons that would cause you to lose a filling, including bacteria resulting in tooth decay. If you lose a filling stick, a piece of sugarless gum over the cavity, as a piece of sugar gum, would irritate the exposed tooth. You can also purchase some dental cement available at your local pharmacy or drug store.
Dental emergencies can be shocking, but most of them can be treated if you act quickly enough. After any dental emergency, you need to visit your family dentist as soon as possible for concentrated care. For more information on how to manage your dental emergency, contact Tooth Harmony today!