DENTAL EMERGENCY

or Dental Emergencies

Dental Emergency is an injury or illness involving the teeth, gum or oral tissues that poses an immediate threat to a person's health. It may occur anywhere at anytime.

Teeth Involvement

Toothache

• Clean the area around the sore tooth with dental abscess thoroughly.
• Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm salt water.
• Use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris.
• DO NOT place Aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth.
• If face is swollen, apply a cold compress.
• Take OTC analgesics (aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen) for temporary pain relief.
• See a dentist as soon as possible.

Broken Tooth as a Dental Emergency

• Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water.
• Place cold compresses over the face in the area of the injury.
• Locate and save any broken tooth fragments.
• Immediate dental attention is necessary.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

• Find the tooth.
• Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion.
• Rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
• Try to reinsert it in its socket.
• Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth.
• If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water.
• See a dentist IMMEDIATELY!
• Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

Other Tissues Involvement

Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek

• Apply ice to bruised areas.
• If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth.
• If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, take the child to a hospital emergency room.
• If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room.

Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out

• Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area.
• Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes.
• This may be repeated once.
• If bleeding persists, see a dentist.

Cold/Cancer Sores

• Usually over-the-counter (OTC) preparations give relief.
• Many products, including protective oral rinse, aloe containing toothpaste, dental wax or dental silicone, and merchandises could heal sores.
• Some serious diseases may begin as sores.
• It is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.

Possible Broken Jaw

• Try to keep suspected fractured jaw from moving.
• Use a towel, tie, or handkerchief.
• Take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Aleksandr V. Melekhin, DDS

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