Dental Emergencies
What to Do When You Have an Urgent Dental Problem
Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can save a tooth and prevent an injury from becoming more severe. This guide provides first-aid steps for the most common dental emergencies.
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First Aid for Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth
- Act Fast: Time is critical. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root.
- Rinse Gently: If the tooth is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Do not scrub or remove any attached tissue.
- Reinsert if Possible: Gently try to place the tooth back in its socket and have the person bite down on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- Keep it Moist: If you can't reinsert it, place the tooth in a small container of milk or the person's own saliva. Do not store it in water.
- See a Dentist Immediately: Get to a dentist or emergency room within the hour for the best chance of saving the tooth.
Severe Toothache or Abscess
- Rinse: Vigorously rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean it out.
- Floss Gently: Try to gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food that might be causing the pain.
- Apply Cold Compress: Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
- Do Not Apply Heat: Never apply heat directly to the area, as it can draw the infection out and make it worse.
- Seek Urgent Care: A severe, throbbing toothache, especially with swelling, is a sign of a serious infection (abscess) and requires immediate dental attention.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
- Rinse: Immediately rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Apply Cold Compress: Use a cold compress on the face to minimize swelling.
- Save the Piece: If you can find the broken piece of the tooth, bring it with you to the dentist.
- See a Dentist Promptly: A cracked tooth can quickly worsen, so it's important to have it evaluated and treated as soon as possible.
Lost Crown or Filling
- Temporary Fix: You can temporarily re-seat a crown using dental cement or even toothpaste from a pharmacy, but this is not a long-term solution.
- See Your Dentist: Schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the crown or filling properly replaced. The underlying tooth is exposed and vulnerable to damage and decay.
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