At Moore Family Dental, we know that each day there are thousands of people that have dental emergencies. These range from a minor toothache to a major injury. While these are very common occurrences, would you know what to do if your child had a tooth knocked out (or chipped a tooth) while playing sports? Knowing what to do at the right time can help lessen the pain and save a tooth that might otherwise be lost.
For starters, you should have a nearby list of emergency numbers – such as the local police, fire department, family doctor, etc. Include your dental office phone number listed with this data. If your dentist has off-hours emergency numbers available, be sure to document that information as well. The information should be readily available and/or programmed into your phone or mobile device.
If you have any type of dental emergency or questions, call the dentist immediately or Moore Family Dental for instructions on how to deal with the situation. Here are some general guidelines for common dental issues:
Toothache: Try to rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it thoroughly. Gently use dental floss to remove any food or other debris that may be lodged between teeth and causing the ache. While painkillers may temporarily relieve the discomfort, if the toothache persists, you should see your dentist. If the toothache pain is excruciating, let your dentist office know and they can schedule you immediately.
Chipped or cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it thoroughly. Use cold compresses on the outside of the cheek to help reduce the swelling.
Knocked-out tooth: If possible, try to find the tooth! This may not always be easy depending on the circumstances. The reason is that sometimes the tooth can be successfully re-implanted. If you are able to recover the tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse the root in water. Don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If it’s possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket while you head to the dentist. If that’s not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and bring it to the dentist. Time is critical to salvage the tooth – so don’t delay getting to the dentist.
Objects caught between teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object with floss, contact your dentist.
Tongue or lip bites or wounds: Clean the area gently with a clean cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding can’t be controlled, go to a hospital emergency room or clinic. You may able to reduce bleeding from the tongue by pulling it forward and using gauze to put pressure on the wound.
Possible broken jaw: Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Get to the hospital emergency room immediately.
These are general guidelines for many common dental issues. Since each case is unique, we encourage you to contact your dentist or Moore Family Dental for more specific instructions.