Accidents happen, and knowing what to
do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
Here are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them. For all
dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients so
be sure to call your dentist and provide as much detail as you can about your
condition. If the accident occurs when your dental office is not open, visit
your local emergency room.
Question: What do I do if I knock out
my tooth?
Answer: For a knocked-out permanent or adult
tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in
the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in
between your cheek and gums, or in milk. Get to your dentist’s office right
away.
Q: What if I crack my tooth?
A: For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with
warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any
swelling down. See your dentist as soon as possible.
Q: If I bite my tongue or lip, how do I
treat it?
A: If you bite your tongue or lip, clean
the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. See your dentist or go to
the emergency room as soon as possible.
Q: How do I treat a toothache?
A: For toothaches, rinse your mouth with warm water to
clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between your
teeth. Do not put aspirin on your aching tooth or gums; it may burn the gum
tissue. If the pain persists, contact your dentist.
Q: What if I think my jaw is broken?
A: If you think your jaw is broken apply cold
compresses to control the swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency
department immediately.
Q: How do I remove an object that’s
stuck in my mouth or teeth?
A: For objects stuck
in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with
a sharp or pointed instrument. See your dentist or go to the emergency room as
soon as possible.
Q: How can I avoid a dental emergency?
A: There are a number of simple precautions you
can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:
•
Wear a mouthguard when participating in
sports or recreational activities.
•
Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and
hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
•
Use scissors, NEVER your teeth,
to cut things.
Dentist NoblesvilleHamilton Town Dentistry
David Shock, DDS
Telephone: (317) 773-9992
14139 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 200
Noblesville, IN 46060
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