Emergency! Handling Common Dental Emergencies
Even relatively minor dental issues can become more serious if left untreated. Knowing what to do could help prevent more serious and permanent damage to your mouth and your health in general. Read on to learn more about handling some common dental emergencies.
Toothache
The sudden sharp pain in your mouth should serve as a warning sign that you have a more serious issue to contend with: it could be a cracked or broken tooth, a cavity, or even an abscess. Make an appointment with your dentist and deal with the discomfort in the meantime by taking an over-the-counter pain medication. Be sure to ignore the old "wives' tale" of placing an aspirin directly on the aching tooth; the salicylic acid in the aspirin could burn your sensitive gum tissues.
Knocked out tooth
It's in your best interest to retrieve the missing tooth if at all possible. If you do have it, rinse the tooth well in warm water and don't disturb any attached pieces of gum tissue. If you can re-insert the tooth, do so but don't use force and handle the tooth with care. If it cannot be re-inserted, put it in a cup of milk or warm water with a pinch of salt.
You should also be aware that tooth-saving kits are available either from your dental office or at your local pharmacy. These kits use a salt solution to preserve the tooth and provide a safe, cushioned place to hold the tooth until you can get to your dentist office. The faster you can get to your dentist, the higher your chances of being able to have your missing tooth successfully reattached.
Lost or lose fillings
Until you can get a proper filling done, you can use some sugar-free gum to make a temporary filling. Caution: use only sugar-free gum, the sugar in regular gum will only increase your pain and misery level. Alternatively, you may be able to find some dental cement at the pharmacy to temporarily fill the opening, and dental cement can also come in handy for lose crowns. Never use superglue on your teeth.
Abscesses
An abscess is very likely the most dangerous of all dental emergencies and prompt attention to this issue is vital. An abscess is actually an infection in your gum and the infection could spread to other parts of your body, including your brain, if not addressed in a timely manner. Sometimes, an abscess will not cause any pain, but you may notice a swelling or tenderness in an area of your gums.
No matter what quick at-home remedies you use, be sure to follow up as soon as possible with a dentist like Sarah M. LYNCH DMD.
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