Dental emergencies may be categorized as toothaches, injuries or broken dental appliances.

Toothache

If a toothache develops when you brush or floss, clean the suspected area. Rinse with warm salt water. Do not place an aspirin on the gums or tooth (this might cause a burn). Apply a cold compress to any facial swelling. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) and call your dentist as soon as possible.

Avulsed Tooth

If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, time is of the essence. Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. It’s vital that the person – and the tooth – get to a dentist within 30 minutes. This makes it possible to re-implant the tooth with a high degree of success. Find the tooth, and holding it by its crown, gently rinse it to remove dirt and/or debris. Do not scrub it. If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket as a means of transport. Otherwise, transport the tooth in a cup of milk, saline (salt water) or saliva (place the tooth between cheek and gum, unless the child is too young). If none of these measures are available, use a cup of plain water.

Extruded Teeth

If a tooth is pushed inward or outward, try to reposition it, using light finger pressure. Do not force the tooth into its socket. Try to get the injured person to the dentist as soon as possible. The tooth can be stabilized and held in place with a moist tissue or gauze on the way.

Fractured Teeth

First, rinse your mouth with warm water to keep it clean. Immediate dental care is necessary. The treatment will depend on the severity of the fracture and could range from smoothing out the chip to bonding with a resin (tooth-colored) material to installing a crown (cap). If there has been pulp (nerve) injury, a root canal might be necessary at once or at a later date.

Soft-tissue Injury

The tongue, lips or cheeks are vulnerable to bites, lacerations (cuts) or punctures. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with a gauze or clean cloth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes, bring the person to the dentist or hospital emergency room. Sutures (stitches) might be necessary. Otherwise, clean the area with warm water on a gauze or clean cloth. Apply an ice compress to the bruised or swollen area.

For more information, call Dr. Dikran Deragopian at 925-513-0100.

– Courtesy of DentalSenders