Do You Know What to Do in a Dental Emergency? Simple Tips That Can Save Your Teeth
There’s no such thing as a minor dental emergency. The reality is that any time you injure your teeth, it shouldn’t be ignored. Doing so can increase the chance that there’s permanent damage. If you find yourself in a dental emergency, we recommend that you contact California Dental Group right away at (800) 407-0161. Read on to learn what you can do in the moment.
Treating a toothache at home
If you have one or more teeth that are hurting, first rinse out your mouth and floss. This will get rid of anything that’s become lodged in your teeth. If you feel as though your mouth has swollen, apply ice to your check or mouth. Don’t put aspirin (or painkillers of any kind) against the gums – it can actually burn the gums.
If you break or chip a tooth
Save any part of the tooth you can. Rinse out your mouth and get rid of small broken shards. If you’re bleeding, put gauze on the part that’s bleeding for around ten minutes or until the bleeding stops. Then apply ice to the outside of your mouth, cheek, or lip by the area that was broken or chipped.
If you knock out a tooth
If possible, get the tooth. Only hold it by the crown and rinse the root off with water. Don’t scrub or get rid of any attached tissue. Try to put the tooth back where it was but don’t force it into the socket. If you can’t hold it in your mouth, put it in a small container with milk. Then call your California dentist as soon as possible.
There’s something stuck between your teeth
First, try to dislodge it with dental floss. Be very gentle and carefully remove it if you can. If you can’t get it out, then reach out to California Dental Group for help. Under no condition could you use a pin, knife, or any other sharp object to try and poke at it.
You lose a filling or a crown
If you lose a filling, get a piece of sugarless gum and put it in the cavity while you’re waiting to see a dentist. If you lose a crown, bring the crown into your dentist’s office with you. If it hurts, apply clove oil to the sensitive area with a Q-Tip. You can find clove oil at your local grocery store.
You have an abscess
An abscess is an infection. It can occur around the root of your tooth or between your teeth and gums. Either way, it can lead to serious oral and general health issues. This is not something to simply wait on to see if it will go away. Contact your dentist right away.
These are just some of the ways you can start the healing process at home. Again, we must stress that it’s imperative you make an appointment as soon as you can. We will assess your issue and help you find the solutions needed to take care of it a healthy way.
