Anchor Family Dentistry

Common Dental Emergencies

Any dental emergency like an injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment later on.

Here are a few quick things to do in case you do have a dental emergency:

Always contact your dentist as soon as you can and get in as soon as you can for a dental emergency to have your tooth/teeth looked at.  

 Toothaches

First, thoroughly rinse your mouth with warm water. Use dental floss to remove any lodged food. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. Rinsing with a tepid crystal salt water solution will help reduce swelling and detoxify the mouth. Real vanilla extract placed on a cotton ball and then dabbed around an irritation may also help relieve pain.

Chipped or broken teeth: 

Save any pieces. Rinse the mouth using warm water; rinse any broken pieces. If there's bleeding, apply a piece of gauze to the area for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip near the broken/chipped tooth to keep any swelling down and relieve pain. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. Your dentist can smooth out minor fractures with a sandpaper disc. Alternatively, restorative procedures may be needed to fix the tooth.

 Tooth Chips on Denture

If you wear dentures and a tooth breaks or chips, wear your spare dentures until you can visit your dentist. If you do not have a spare set or cannot get to the dentist's office soon, use cyanoacrylate (heavy-duty, quick-drying "super" glue) to glue the tooth or the piece of the tooth back into place. Remember—this is only a temporary measure until your dentist can properly repair your tooth and should only be used for dentures! Never attempt to glue a natural tooth or part of a natural tooth back into place!

Knocked-out tooth

 Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown (the part that is usually exposed in the mouth), and rinse off the tooth root with water if it's dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, try to put the tooth back in place. Make sure it's facing the right way. Never force it into the socket. If it's not possible to reinsert the tooth in the socket, put the tooth in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt, if milk is not available) or a product containing cell growth medium, such as Save-a-Tooth. In all cases, see your dentist as quickly as possible. Knocked out teeth with the highest chances of being saved are those seen by the dentist and returned to their socket within 1 hour of being knocked out.

 Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth

See your dentist right away. Until you reach your dentist's office, to relieve pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) if needed.

 Objects caught between teeth

First, try using dental floss to very gently and carefully remove the object. If you can't get the object out, see your dentist. Never use a pin or other sharp object to poke at the stuck object. These instruments can cut your gums or scratch your tooth surface.

Lost filling

As a temporary measure, stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity (sugar-filled gum will cause pain) or use an over-the-counter dental cement. Then See Your Dentist immediately!!

       

Lost crown.

If the crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown with you. If you can't get to the dentist right away and the tooth is causing pain, use a cotton swab to apply a little clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store). If possible, slip the crown back over the tooth. Before doing so, coat the inner surface with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. Do not use super glue!

 Broken braces and wires

If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue, or gum, try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can't reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze until you can get to your orthodontist's office. Never cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs.

 Loose brackets and bands

Temporarily reattach loose braces with a small piece of orthodontic wax. Alternatively, place the wax over the braces to provide a cushion. See your orthodontist as soon as possible. If the problem is a loose band, save it and call your orthodontist for an appointment to have it recemented or replaced (and to have missing spacers replaced).

 Abscess

Abscesses are infections that occur around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Abscesses are a serious condition that can damage tissue and surrounding teeth, with the infection possibly spreading to other parts of the body if left untreated.

 Because of the serious oral health and general health problems that can result from an abscess, see your dentist as soon as possible if you discover a pimple-like swelling on your gum that usually is painful. In the meantime, to ease the pain and draw the pus toward the surface, try rinsing your mouth with a mild salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day.

 Soft-tissue injuries and Bleeding

Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips, can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, here's what to do:

Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.

1. Use a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold in place for  15 to 20 minutes.
2. To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. If the bleeding doesn't stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated.

Cavity Calming Solutions: Applying ice (on and off) to the affected area or to the cheek may help sooth irritated nerves and reduce swelling. Oil of cloves (from the pharmacy), or even fresh cloves from the spice rack, have been known as an aid in relieving pain naturally. Never place an aspirin directly on a painful area inside the mouth.

We often say the mouth is the gateway to total wellness. Treat your mouth with respect and care, including eating a healthy, antioxidant-rich diet, and exercising and brushing three times a day. Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and oral health exams. Your dentist may be able to prevent a possible emergency by catching dental problems before they begin - saving you a lot of discomfort and a potential emergency visit later. And common dental issues, such as gum disease, may be precursors to other, more serious illnesses. Studies from Harvard and other major medical institutions have proven that poor gums can put you at high risk for diabetes, heart disease and other illness.

Many people see their dentist more than they see any other doctor. If you are like many who are afraid to see the dentist regularly, ask about "pain free" dental care. Today's dental science has come a long way - and patients should not be afraid to seek good oral health options. If you are concerned because you do not have insurance, talk to your dentist about possible payment options or other forms of help that may be available.

Work Cited

WebMD