What To Do When You Can't See Your Dentist Right Away
Dental emergencies happen all the time, like breaking a tooth from a fall or a painful toothache that won’t go away. Nobody wants to experience these dental situations…especially when it happens outside of business hours. Knowing what to do when you’re in a situation where you can’t see the dentist right away, will help you reduce the risk of further complications. Here are some tips you can use to protect your teeth and gums until you can see an emergency dentist.
Broken Tooth:
Gently clean the area in your mouth with warm water and protect the tooth from exposure to germs by covering it with a sterile gauze. Apply a cold compress to the face if swelling.
Knocked Out Tooth: Pick up the tooth by the crown and do not touch the roots. Rinse off any dirt with water but make sure not to remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert the tooth in its socket. If you cannot insert the tooth back in, put the tooth in a cup of milk and take it to your dentist.
Cracked Tooth: Gently clean the area by rinsing with warm water and use a cold compress on your face to reduce any swelling.
Severe Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently use a dental floss to ensure there is nothing caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. Visit the dentist even if the ache goes away.
Sore Gums:
This may be a sign of gum disease so immediate treatment is required. Before you contact your dentist, quickly but gently floss and ensure there is nothing caught between the teeth. Rinse gently with warm salt water and never put any painkillers against the infected gums as it may burn the gum tissue.
Broken Braces and Wires: If your wires and brackets are broken, use a soft object like an eraser to gently push the wire back into spot where it doesn’t cause any more discomfort. If you can’t reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax or a piece of gauze so that it doesn’t bother your gums or soft tissue. Never cut the wire as you could end up swallowing it or breathing it in. Make an appointment to see the dentist so that a more permanent solution will be given.
Objects Caught Between Teeth: Gently use dental floss to remove the object. If object does not come out, call your emergency dentist. Never use a sharp object like a pin to try and get the stuck object out.
Lost Filling: If your filling has fallen out, part of the interior of your tooth will be exposed so temporarily stick a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity. Do not use a sugar filled gum as this will cause immense pain. Another option is to use a dental cement which can be purchased over the counter.
Lost Crown: Temporarily replace the crown by coating the inside of the crown with denture adhesive or toothpaste to help it stay in place. Never use super glue. If you can’t position it in there properly, leave it and take it to your dentist.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries include the tongue, cheeks, gums and lips. These injuries can be cuts or swelling and can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, gently rinse your mouth with salt water to disinfect the cuts. Then use a piece of damp gauze to apply pressure to the areas that are bleeding for 15 – 20 minutes. You can also hold a cool compress on your face to control the swelling. If you are still bleeding badly after 20 minutes, please call your emergency dentist. Continue to hold pressure on the affected area.
A dental emergency can occur at any time and at any place. It is helpful to know these tips just in case these situations arise. Always have an emergency dentist’s contact handy especially when you are travelling abroad. It will definitely save you time while you are trying not to panic. You can also check out our emergency dental care tips on our website.
Emergency Dentist Sydney Says:
Always contact your dentist when you have or think you have a dental emergency. It will make a huge difference to know what to do while you wait to see them.