Knowing how to handle dental emergencies can mean the difference between saving or losing a permanent tooth!
With families more active during the summer months, it’s a good idea to have on hand some important tips to help smooth over or help with summer dental emergency problems. We’ve put together a quick list of problems and recommendations.
Knocked-Out Tooth:
- If it is a permanent tooth, it is important to retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse off the root of the tooth if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, put the tooth back in its socket. If that is not possible, put it in a container with milk or water and then call our office, 630 369-5225, to get in to see our dentists as soon as possible. Timing in a knocked-out tooth is important and you need to see a dentist as soon as possible.
- If it is a baby tooth, contact your our Naperville dentist, 630 369-5225, but do not attempt to reinsert the tooth.
Broken Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean and contact your dentist’s office. If you are unable to get to the dental office or travelling, some pharmacies sell temporary materials that when placed over the chipped portion can help cut down on some of the sensitivity
Bitten Tongue or Lip: Clean the area gently with a cloth and then apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling. If the bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately.
Objects Caught Between the Teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss and avoid damaging the gums. Do not use a sharp instrument. The best item to use is a plastic toothpick that has an angulated tip. If not successful in removing the object, visit your dentist.
Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean out the area. Make sure there is no food or any other object lodged around the tooth. Use dental floss to clean the area thoroughly.
Never put aspirin or any other painkiller on the gums or around the painful tooth because it can burn the gums, thus causing more harm than good.
Since dental pain can be caused from a variety of things, it’s best to contact your dentist. Until you see the dentist, avoid temperature extremes and biting on that side of your mouth where the pain is.
Cap or crown that has come out– Occasionally a patient has a crown or ‘cap’ restoration that has been dislodged. Call your dentist to evaluate, replace or re-cement your crown. If you are unable to get to the dentist quickly, we have found some of the over the counter temporary cements helpful. Read the directions very carefully if this path is chosen. Re-cementing a crown in a different position than what is was made for can cause increased discomfort.