Dental emergencies frequently arise at the most inopportune times. Being
prepared for a dental emergency is no accident. It takes a little time and thought,
but knowing what to do before an accident happens, you may someday save a tooth - yours or someone else's. To help prepare you for a dental emergency some basic emergency
procedures for toothaches, problems with braces and retainers, knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, bitten tongue or lip, objects caught between teeth, and possible broken jaw are described below.
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 place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Problems with Braces and Retainers
If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a small cotton ball,
beeswax or a piece of gauze, until you can get to the dentist. If a wire gets stuck
in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, do not attempt to remove it. Go to your dentist
immediately. If an appliance becomes loose or a piece of it breaks off, take the appliance
and the piece and go to the dentist.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in gently running water without handling
the root area. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. Gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. Evidence now points to
a greater chance of the tooth being retained if this is accomplished within the first five minutes after the trauma, otherwise
the tooth can dry out. The tooth can be stored in water for up to 15 minutes, saliva
for 30 minutes, and milk for up to 60 minutes (longer if cold milk is used). Go immediately
to the dentist and don't forget to take the tooth with you!
Broken Tooth
Gently clean dirt from the injured area by rinsing with warm water. Place cold compresses in the area of the injured tooth, to decrease the swelling. Go the dentist immediately, taking the piece of tooth along if it can be found!
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth. If swelling is present, apply cold compresses. If bleeding does not stop
in a short period of time or is excessive, go to your dentist or a hospital emergency room.
Objects Caught Between Teeth
Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.
Rather, try to remove the object with floss. Guide the floss carefully to avoid cutting
the gums. If you're not successful in removing the object, go to the dentist.
Possible Broken Jaw
Do not move the jaw. Apply cold
compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency room immediately.
