EMERGENCY CARE

If your tooth or teeth start to ache or feel painful after injury or trauma, use warm salt water to rinse out the mouth and displace any food trapped between the teeth. Under no circumstances should you use aspirin on the aching tooth or gum. In the event that the face begins to swell, apply a cold compress to the area, making sure to remove the ice intermittently every ten to fifteen minutes or so. For temporary pain relief, acetaminophen is recommended.

If swelling occurs without the incidence of trauma or injury, contact your dentist or doctor for treatment. Similarly, if the pain or swelling persists for more than a day, contact your dentist or doctor to determine the next steps or set up an appointment to examine and treat the problem.

In the event that you accidentally cut or bite down on your tongue, lip or cheek, take steps to stop any bleeding and reduce any bruising. For bruised areas, ice can be applied at intervals of about ten to fifteen minutes each. For bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure to the injured area with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If the bleeding does not stop even after applying pressure, or if bleeding continues after 15 minutes, maintain pressure on the area and go to an emergency room immediately.

Occasionally, braces or wires may break off as a result of jostling or force. When this occurs, take note of the affected area and respond accordingly. If the broken appliance comes out easily, it is safe to remove it for the time being until you can make it to an appointment with your orthodontist. If the broken appliance is lodged or painful to remove, leave it in place and simply cover any protruding edges with wax, cotton balls, gauze or even chewing gum.

Do not remove any wire caught in the gums, cheek or tongue. See a dentist immediately or visit an emergency room if you need emergency care like this. If an appliance is loose or broken but is not causing any immediate discomfort, emergency attention is not usually required. Instead, contact your orthodontist and schedule an appointment to rectify the problem during regular business hours.

If you or your child has broken or chipped a tooth, start by rinsing the area with warm water and put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury, such as the cheek or jaw. If you can recover any broken tooth fragments, do so and keep them with you. Whether or not you can recover fragments of the tooth, seek immediate dental attention or emergency care.

If a permanent tooth is fully knocked out of the mouth, you should rinse off the fallen tooth, but do not clean or handle it more than necessary. After rinsing, carefully reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. Contact your dentist immediately for the next steps.

If the tooth cannot be reinserted, first rinse it, and then immediately place it in a cup of cold milk. It’s essential that immediate action be taken to save the tooth, so see a dentist immediately, bringing the fallen tooth submerged in milk with you.

In the event of a severe jaw injury, tie the mouth closed with a towel, tie or handkerchief looped under the jaw and tied at the top of the head. The important thing is to keep the lower jaw stationary and supported while you seek immediate medical treatment. If you suspect that a broken jaw has occurred, go immediately to an emergency room.

A small amount of bleeding after the loss of a baby tooth is normal but should be monitored to ensure the health and safety of your child. Fold a piece of clean gauze and place it tightly over the bleeding area. Instruct your child to bite down on the gauze for fifteen minutes and ensure that they are doing so. If bleeding continues, seek emergency care from your dentist immediately.

Cold sores and canker sores will usually heal without scarring after a few days to a week. In the meantime, over-the-counter medications will usually provide temporary relief, and topical numbing gels are also available to reduce pain or irritation in the area. If the sores do not heal naturally within a week or two, visit your dentist for professional treatment or emergency care.