Dealing with dental emergencies

Toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Broken tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compress on your face to reduce swelling. Go to dentist immediately.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area gently with a cloth, and apply cold compress to keep swelling down. If bleeding doesn’t stop, go to hospital emergency room.

Objects Caught Between Teeth

Gently try to remove object with dental floss. If you’re not successful, go to the dentist. Do not remove the object with sharp or pointed instrument.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Hold the tooth by the crown, and rinse off the root of the tooth if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If it’s possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water and get to dentist as quickly as possible. Don’t forget to take the tooth with you!

Possible Broken Jaw

Do not move jaw. Secure the jaw in place by tying a handkerchief, necktie or towel around the jaw and over the top of the head. If there is swelling, apply cold compress. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency room immediately.

Problem with Braces and Retainers

If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a small cotton bal, 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 the 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.