Do you know what to do in the case of an oral emergency? If you should ever encounter an oral accident, it’s important to protect your mouth from further harm. With some care and a timely visit to your dentist, even a lost tooth may be able to be reset back into your mouth. Accidents do happen, so be prepared for any that may come your way.
If you are not sure what steps you can take to protect yourself, here is a list of some of the more common accidents that occur, and what you can do to help:
– If you have broken your braces or wires, try to temporarily reposition the broken part back into position. If you cannot, try to cover the end of the break with a cotton ball or piece of gauze. To avoid additional health hazards, do not attempt to cut off or remove the broken parts.
– If you have chipped or broken any teeth, if possible, try to save the teeth. To minimize bleeding, rinse your mouth with warm water and use gauze directly on the area. To dull the pain and to keep swelling down, use a cold compress against your cheek. Keep the damaged teeth moist at all times. If a tooth has been knocked out, it may be possible to be put back into place if you visit your dentist immediately.
– If you have lost a crown, you can temporarily use clove oil to dab on the sensitive area. If you wish to temporarily slip the crown back over the tooth, coat the inside of the crown with dental cement or a denture adhesive.
– If you have lost a filling, try using a piece of sugarless gum to temporarily cover the cavity.
The most important thing you can do in an oral emergency is to seek out your dentist immediately. Mark D. Berard, DDS can be reached by calling us at 616-392-2853 or visiting our office in Holland, Michigan. In severe cases, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.